Oral Roberts Tops TCU in WNIT Opener

The ORU women beat TCU to advance to the second round of the WNIT for the first time in 28 years.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:16 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Mar 18, 2011 8:29 AM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

FORT WORTH, Texas—For the first time in 28 years, the Oral Roberts women’s basketball team advanced to the second round of the WNIT after a 78-74 win over TCU Thursday.

It was the 1982-83 season the last time the Golden Eagle women’s squad advanced, and thanks to ORU’s Jordan Pyle they’re back in action yet again.

Pyle posted her 11th double-double of the season scoring 20 points and pulling down 13 rebounds and swiping four steals. She also shot 10-of-14 from the floor.

The Horned Frogs came out firing and held an early 18-12 lead after sinking three straight three’s just eight minutes into the game.

ORU battled back and led at the halftime break 38-37.

In the second half, both teams traded buckets until ORU went on a 20-9 run to put the Golden Eagles on top 65-52.

But it didn’t end there, TCU scrambled and kept things interesting.

With just under five minutes to play, the Horned Frogs had cut the lead to five, but ORU’s Jaci Bigham silenced TCU after she hit a big three-pointer from the left wing to give the Golden Eagles the eight point advantage.

TCU made yet another run, cutting the deficit to two (74-72) with just over a minute to play, but four-straight free throws by Kevi Luper sparked ORU to their 22nd win of the year and on to the second round.

Luper finished with 26 points, seven boards and five steals in the victory while Dominique Allen added nine points, 10 rebounds and a block.

TCU’s Emily Carter led all scorers with 30 points and six assists.

ORU will be back in action on Monday, hosting Tulane at 7:00 p.m. in the Mabee Center.