ORU's Second-Half Comeback Comes Up Short

Originally Published: Feb 11, 2010 9:31 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- After trailing for the entire game, Oral Roberts closed to within two points in the final minute before missing a last-second for a 64-62 loss to Western Illinois.

Western Illinois (10-14) opened the game on a 12-2 run and kept a sizable lead for the majority of the game. Neither team went on any extended runs until late in the game when, down 60-51, the Golden Eagles (14-12) went on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to two.

The teams traded baskets, and then Dominique Morrison missed a potential game-tying shot with five seconds left. ORU fouled after the missed shot, but Western Illinois missed the first half of a 1-and-1. Morrison pulled down the rebound and heaved a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, but missed and sealed the Golden Eagles’ loss.

Morrison finished with a team-high 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Kevin Ford added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Ceola Clark led Western Illinois with a game-high 25 points, and four Leathernecks scored in double digits.

The Golden Eagles have lost their last two games, the first time since November they have lost consecutive games. They will try to end their slump at 7 p.m. Saturday against IUPUI.