ORU Women Drop Overtime Contest To Grambling State

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – It was tale of two halves as ORU got up early but couldn't hold on in an 89-80 overtime loss on Thursday to Grambling State.

The Golden Eagles busted the game open in the first half, forcing 25 first half turnovers, including 14 in the first eight minutes of the game.

Oral Roberts led by 12 points at halftime thanks to 13 points and four steals from Kevi Luper in the half.

But the second half was a reversal of fortunes as Luper and the rest of her squad went cold from the field. She had just five second-half points and the Golden Eagles went 7-for-37 from the 3-point line in the game.

The Tigers grabbed their first lead of the second half on a 3 from Tulsa native Savannah Carter to go up 74-73.

An eventual 3 from Luper tied the game at 78, and Jaci Bigham picked up a steal to give the Golden Eagles possession and a chance to win with 32 seconds to play. But a 3-pointer from Georgia Jones was blocked, sending the game into overtime.

Once in the extra period, the game was never really in doubt with the Tigers outscoring ORU 11-2. Grambling State also finished the game on a 36-16 run overall.

Luper had 18 points for ORU but Jordan Pyle led the Golden Eagles with 20. Grambling State also outrebounded Oral Roberts 57-39.

The Golden Eagles will host Kansas on Wednesday, Dec. 21 with a tip set for 7 p.m.