ORU Men's Basketball Wins 69-66 Against UWM

The Oral Roberts men's basketball team took on Milwaukee in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon. ORU beat the Panthers 69-66.

The Golden Eagles came out ready to play, scoring in the opening minute. ORU's leading scorer Obi Emegano put the first two points on the board, followed by a three-pointer from Korey Billbury. By the 15:19 mark ORU was leading UWM 9-2.

The Panthers started making a comeback during the last 13 minutes of the half. Panthers' freshman guard Justin Jordan knocked down a three-pointer that closed ORU's lead to two. Following that, senior guard Steve McWhorter scored a basket that tied the game 9-9.

With 12:15 to go, ORU kept increasing their lead, while the Panthers battled to keep the score close. ORU led the entire half until minute mark 6:04. UWM grabbed the lead, but quickly let it slip. On the next play ORU's Bobby Word hit a three, edging the Panthers 20-18. With four minutes left, Milwaukee would tie the game up once more. During the last three minutes ORU would advance their lead to 33-25.

Going into halftime, Billbury was leading all scorers with 14 points. He also had 11 rebounds, and five assists. ORU was 38 percent in field goals, 40 percent from the three, and 88 percent from the free throw line. UWM was 42 percent in field goals, 33 percent from the three, and 25 percent from the free throw line. Oral Roberts led 22-15 in team rebounds.

Early into the second half, Oral Roberts took a 12 point head over the Panthers, (47-35). With less than ten minutes to go, ORU had extended their lead 50-38.

As the half started coming to an end the Panthers started fighting harder on defense, and taking advantage of their offensive possessions. With three minutes left to play Milwaukee had decreased ORU's lead to four. With the game getting close, Emegano hit a mid-range jumper, giving ORU a slight cushion. That didn't discourage the panthers. With 2:22 to go, they were only trailing by three.

ORU almost lost the game in the last 30 seconds, sending two Panthers to the line. UWM's first shooter missed both free throws, and their second, JeVon Lyle, made one that tied the game 64-64. In the final seconds, ORU teamed up to come back and win 69-66.

By the end of the game the Golden Eagles were 41 percent in field goals, 31 percent from the three, and 81 percent from the free throw line. The Panthers were 48 percent in field goals, 42 percent from the three, and 60 percent from the line.

Emegano led ORU in scoring with 20 points. He also contributed six rebounds and three assists. Billbury led both teams in rebounds and assists. He finished the game with 11 and six.

ORU will take on Weber State Monday, December 1, in Utah at 8:00 p.m.