ORU Women Move on in NIT

The Golden Eagles needed some impressive scoring performances to hold off Tulane, 92-86.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:17 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Mar 21, 2011 10:29 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

TULSA, Okla. – Oral Roberts enjoyed a nice home court advantage on Monday, topping the Tulane Green Wave 92-86 to advance in the Women’s NIT.

ORU was able to play on its home court after knocking off TCU to start the tournament, and they needed that home crowd behind them against Tulane.

Tulane led almost the entire first half, with the Golden Eagles’ only lead in the half lasting for just a few seconds at 8-7.

The Green Wave led by as many as 10 at one point and led by four at the half.

Oral Roberts did not regain the lead until 6:52 to play, when a layup from Amber Carver gave the Golden Eagles a 71-70 lead, but it did not last long.

Tulane quickly grabbed the lead back and got up six with just more than four minutes to play.

But the ORU defense locked down, allowing just a single free throw over the final three minutes of the game and finishing on an 11-1 run.

Tulane guard Danielle Nunn had a monstrous game with 37 points and five boards, but ORU had several big scorers of its own to counter.

Kevi Luper had 29 points and Georgia Jones had 22. Luper also racked up seven steals as part of 29 forced turnovers against the Green Wave.

ORU was outshot by a significant percentage (46 to 39), but made up for it with 19 steals.

The Golden Eagles will get to play host once again as they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the next round.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Mabee Center.