ORU Bounces Back with Win against Centenary

Golden Eagles snapped a two-game losing streak with 101-66 victory.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:13 pm

By: News On 6

ORU Bounces Back with Win against Centenary

Originally Published: Feb 19, 2011 4:41 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

Shreveport, La. – A balanced scoring attack and a pressuring defense helped the Golden Eagles cruise to a 101-66 victory on Saturday against Centenary.

After a rough week last week, losing on the road to Southern Utah and UMKC, ORU was able to snap its mini losing streak by forcing 28 turnovers against the Centenary offense.

The early defense from the Golden Eagles was smothering, holding Centenary to just three points in the first eight minutes. ORU held a 25-7 lead about 10 minutes in.

ORU led by 20 at the break, but really began to lay it on in the second half, leading by as many as 40 (95-55) before cruising to a 35-point margin of victory.

Sophomore forward Amber Carver had a huge day for Oral Roberts, putting up a career-high 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds for her second straight double-double.

Forward Savanna Buck also put up a career high with 24 points on 8-13 shooting.

Despite two players posting career highs and scoring 20-plus, neither was the leading scorer on her own team.

Kevi Luper had a game-high 25 points and added seven steals.

ORU dominated Centenary in nearly every statistical category. The Golden Eagles ruled down low, doubling up Centenary’s points in the paint, 60-30.

The Golden Eagles’ bench players added 21 points while the Centenary starters had to account for 65 of their 66 points.

Centenary remained winless on the season (0-23, 0-16 Summit). Oral Roberts improved to 18-9 (14-2).

The Golden Eagles will look to wrap up their second straight Summit League regular season title next Saturday, heading back home to take on Western Illinois at 2:05 p.m.