ORU Women Win, Clinch No. 1 Seed In Southland Tourney

Oral Roberts University earned a share of the Southland Conference regular season championship on Saturday afternoon with a 68-53 victory over Central Arkansas. The win, combined with Sam Houston State's earlier loss to Northwestern State, gives ORU their third regular season conference crown in four years.

The Golden Eagles (16-12, 13-5 SLC) will enter next week's Southland Conference Tournament as the No. 1 seed after a Saturday victory by Lamar and a loss by McNeese State gave ORU a leg up over the Bearkats through the conference's tiebreaking procedures.

Taylor Cooper led the Golden Eagles with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Jaci Bigham added 15 points, six assists and seven steals.

Savanna Buck chipped in 10 points off the bench.

Seniors Bigham, Buck and Kevi Luper have been a part of each of ORU's regular season conference titles since 2010.

Luper scored six points and swiped six steals in her final regular season game.

Megan Herbert led the Sugar Bears (15-14, 8-10 SLC) with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Courtney Duever added nine points and 16 rebounds.