Seniors Lead ORU Women In Final Home Game

Oral Roberts University honored their senior class with a victory on Tuesday night as they bested Central Arkansas, 76-69, at the Mabee Center. The victory was the final home game for seniors Jaci Bigham, Savanna Buck and Kevi Luper, and the trio did not disappoint, accounting for 52 of the team's 76 points.

Luper, the leading scorer in ORU history, paced all players with 33 points, while Bigham, the school's career assist leader, added 12 points and eight helpers. Buck was strong as well, with seven points, five rebounds, and a pair of blocked shots.

"Everything that (our class) has done, all of our blood, sweat and tears – they all mean so much to me," said Luper in an emotional postgame press conference. "When I look back, I'll think about all the wins that we've had and all of the records that the three of us have set, but mostly, I'll remember the fun that we've had and the memories that we've made."

Luper has plenty of wins to look back on. The trio went 45-10 at the Mabee Center over their four-year run, with a 33-3 record against conference opponents. Central Arkansas was the 35th unique opponent that ORU's senior class has beaten in their four-year career, and their 80th victory as a group, the most by an ORU senior class since 1983.

The Golden Eagles (14-11, 11-4) shot 48.3% as a team as they maintained their hold on first place in the Southland Conference.

Courtney Duever led the Sugar Bears (14-12, 7-8 SLC) with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Megan Herbert added 16 points and 10 boards.

The Golden Eagles take the weekend off before returning to action on Thursday, February 28 at McNeese State.