Oral Roberts Cruises Past Rogers State In Exhibition

The Oral Roberts University men's basketball team scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back en route to a 90-66 victory over Rogers State in an exhibition game on Wednesday night at the Mabee Center.

The Golden Eagles shot nearly 52 percent (30-58) from the field for the game, including a 41 percent mark (7-17) from the 3-point line in the victory. ORU was led by Obi Emegano and Shawn Glover, who scored 23 and 20 points, respectively. After struggling from the field in the first exhibition, Emegano found his rhythm and hit seven of his 10 shot attempts, including two of three from behind the arc.

Despite the win, ORU was out-rebounded by the Hillcats by a 41-37 margin, including 20 offensive rebounds for Rogers State.

The Hillcats were led by Damien Hooks' 21 points, but shot just 35 percent (22-62) from the field and hit one of 12 3-point attempts (8 percent).

"I thought we played a little bit better, especially in the first half," said Coach Scott Sutton. "We didn't rebound very well, and I have to give Rogers State credit because their kids really battled and outworked us offensively. To give up 20 offensive rebounds and get out-rebounded is concerning."

Although all 15 players saw at least three minutes of action, the minutes were not as evenly distributed on Wednesday as they were in the first exhibition. Only eight players saw at least 10 minutes, and Glover, Emegano and D.J. Jackson were the only three to record at least 20.

ORU turned the ball over 13 times and forced 16 Hillcat turnovers, notching eight steals. The Golden Eagles shared the ball well, though, with 19 assists on 30 made baskets, including six helpers from Jackson.

The Golden Eagles took control early out-scoring the Hillcats 15-4 over the first four minutes of the game, including an 8-0 run to start the game. Only once the rest of the half did the lead dip below double figures, and ORU extended it to as many as 19 at 44-25 with a Jackson 3-pointer with 1:51 left in the first half.

Emegano put an exclamation point on his first half, taking a long inbounds pass from Jackson and throwing down the dunk as time expired to give ORU a 46-29 lead at the break, he finished with 15 points in the first half alone.

In the second half, the two teams traded points with the lead hovering between 15 and 20 for the better part of the half.

As the clock ticked under 10 to play, ORU mounted an 11-2 spurt over the next three that took the lead from 17 to 26 at 79-53with 6:24 to play.

Adam Glenville knocked down a 3-pointer with 2:15 to play and gave the Golden Eagles their largest lead of the game at 89-60.

ORU begins the regular season with a trip across town to face Tulsa on Sunday, November 10 at 5:05 p.m. in the PSO Mayor's Cup game.