Men’s Basketball: ORU Gets Crushed By OU

Oral Roberts took a short road trip to the University of Oklahoma to take on the Sooners. This was the second time this season ORU played back-to-back days. By the end of Tuesday's matchup, the Golden Eagles took an 85-53 loss, after coming off a pair of home wins. They are now 4-5 on the season, while OU advanced to 7-2.

Oral Roberts got on the board first, after Korey Billbury penetrated the paint for two. OU quickly got ahead, leading by seven with 15:25 on the clock. As the half progressed, the Sooners managed to keep its lead. With eight minutes left in the half, OU's Buddy Hield took off on a fast break and slammed the dunk, advancing the Sooners to 21-14 over the Golden Eagles.

ORU couldn't seem to contain OU, as the Sooners led 39-24 going into halftime. ORU's leading scorer Obi Emegano didn't put up any points during his 17 minutes of first half play, which really hurt the Golden Eagles. Turnovers were also dooming ORU, as they had twice as many as the Sooners. Billbury and Albert Owens led the Golden Eagles in scoring with six points apiece. Billbury also contributed three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

At this point, ORU was shooting 36 percent from the field, 33 percent from the three-point line, and 100 percent from the free throw line. The team had 19 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, six assists, and 10 turnovers.

OU was shooting 50 percent from the field, 44 percent from the three-point line, and 50 percent from the free throw line. The Sooners had six steals, three blocks, nine assists, and five turnovers.

Hield was leading OU in scoring with 11 points, and TaShawn Thomas trailed him with 10.

Opening up the second half, ORU got off to a slow start, falling even further behind. Within three minutes of the second, OU advanced the score 46-26. Now trailing by 20, ORU had to take advantage of offensive possessions, and keep the Sooners out of the paint.

By the 14:33 mark, OU was demolishing the Golden Eagles 55-26. Darian Harris knocked down a three for ORU, in a starting effort to comeback.

While Oral Roberts attempted to Chip away at OU's lead, they kept adding onto it. With just five minutes left of play, OU led by 34. ORU's Bobby Word hit a three from deep in the final 35 seconds, but that wasn't enough to close the gap.

The Golden Eagles couldn't keep up, and were defeated 85-53.

Word led ORU in scoring with 19 points, while Hield led OU with 16.

By the end, ORU shot 33 percent from the field, 37 percent from the three, and 60 percent from the line. The team had 41 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, 12 assists, and 19 turnovers.

OU shot 54 percent from the field, 35 percent from the three, and 75 percent from the line. The Sooners had nine steals, six blocks, 19 assists, and six turnovers.

ORU will hit the floor again Saturday, December 20, at 2:00 p.m. to take on Memphis in Tennessee.