ORU Women Bounce Back With Win Against Western Illinois

NewsOn6.com

MACOMB, Illinois – It was as if the real Oral Roberts team showed up again for the game, including All-American Kevi Luper.

Two days after a stunning upset loss to IUPUI, the Golden Eagles got back on track with a 78-66 victory over Western Illinois on the road on Monday.

Luper, who scored just six points against IUPUI, bounced back with a more stereotypical 27 points to lead ORU in scoring.

She scored eight points in the first 2:34 of the game to help the Golden Eagles to an early 11-4 lead.

The first half went back and forth, however, with 13 lead changes in the first half alone and ORU went into the half down 40-39.

But ORU did what it does best in the second half, clamping down on defense, picking up steals and converting them to slowly but surely pull away.

After the first half's 13 lead changes, the second half had just one – ORU taking the lead 16 seconds in before pulling away for good.

Jordan Pyle had 14 points (all in the second half) and Amber Carver matched a season high with 10.

ORU shot 48 percent from the field and outrebounded Western Illinois 39-31.

The win moves the Golden Eagles to 11-7 overall and 5-2 in Summit League action.

They will return home for a four-game stand at the Mabee Center, the first of which comes on Saturday against Oakland with a 2:05 p.m. tip.