ORU Opens Summit League with 109-62 Victory

Originally Published: Dec 5, 2009 6:32 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The ORU Golden Eagles blew away Southern Utah in the team’s Summit League opener Saturday, breaking records and precedents along the way.

ORU guard Kevi Luper posted a double-double as the Golden Eagles (5-2, 1-0) earned a 109-62 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-7, 0-1). ORU posted their first-ever 100-point game against a Summit League opponent, while breaking a school record by hitting 17 3-pointers. The team’s 17 treys tied the Summit League record and passed the previous mark, set by South Dakota State in the 2008-2009 season.

Luper tallied 30 points, shooting 9-of-14 from the field, hitting 3-of-6 from the 3-point range and sinking 9-of-12 free throws. She had 12 steals for the Golden Eagles, breaking the school record of 10 steals and tied a 14-year-old conference record.

Georgia Jones scored a season-high 18 points in Saturday’s game, including 3-of-7 3-point attempts. The forward hit five of the seven shots in the first half.

Forward Janae Voelker also recorded 18 points, making four of her five attempts from the 3-point range. Forward Jordan Pyle had seven points and nine rebounds, while Savanna Buck recorded nine points and Jaci Bigham landed six points with six assists.

The Thunderbirds were lead by forward Caitlyn Sears. She recorded 17 points, while center Chanel Throley tallied 15 points.

Southern Utah’s offense was thrown off sync, as the Golden Eagles forced 26 steals and set a league record for conference games. ORU also forced 38 turnovers, contributing to their offensive reign of the night.

ORU next faces the University of Missouri Kansas City on Dec. 7 at 7:05 p.m. at the Mabee Center.