Oral Roberts Falls to Wake Forest in Season Opener

Originally Published: Nov 14, 2009 12:8 AM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Oral Roberts had a rough night from the field and under the boards in its season opener as Wake Forest knocked off the Golden Eagles 76-56.

ORU only hit 38 percent of its shots and was outrebounded by the Demons Deacons 51-25. Wake Forest’s Al-Farouq Aminu grabbed 13 of those rebounds and led all scorers with 25 points. Kevin Ford led the Golden Eagles with 19 points and nine rebounds, tying a career-high in scoring set last season at Oakland.

After trailing 39-23 at halftime, the Golden Eagles gradually chipped into the lead. A Kyron Stokes three-pointer capped a 7-0 run and pulled ORU within 41-30 with 17:54 remaining. Wake slowly pushed the lead up to 61-42 before the Golden Eagles again got back in it.

Kevin Ford’s dunk with 8:39 left sparked an 11-2 run. Michael Craion followed with a layup, Ford made one-of-two free throws and Warren Niles (Cincinnati, Ohio) scored three straight points to cut the lead to 61-50 with 6:11 left. After a layup by Aminu gave Wake a 63-50 lead, Crain drained a three to pull ORU within 63-53 with 5:27 to play.

The Demon Deacons eventually pulled away with the help of Aminu. The sophomore converted a pair of three-pointers, sandwiched around a three-point play, as Wake Forest regained control at 72-53 with 3:45 to play.

Michael Craion scored 13 points and Warren Niles added 11 as each played in their first Division I game.

The Golden Eagles return to action when they host Northwestern Oklahoma State on Nov. 16.