ORU guard to redshirt

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Oral Roberts guard Luke Spencer-Gardner will sit out this season on a medical redshirt and return to the team next year, coach Scott Sutton says. <br><br>Spencer-Gardner, a senior,

Friday, January 9th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Oral Roberts guard Luke Spencer-Gardner will sit out this season on a medical redshirt and return to the team next year, coach Scott Sutton says.

Spencer-Gardner, a senior, suffered a deep bone bruise to his right femur in the Golden Eagles' final exhibition game Nov. 15 and hasn't played since.

``I think Luke understands the best thing for him is to redshirt and take the time to get his knee healthy again so he'll be ready to play next season,'' Sutton said Wednesday.

Spencer-Gardner, an Australian who has been a starter for three years, was Oral Roberts' top returning scorer after averaging 12 points per game last year.

Also, Golden Eagles' forward Ralph Charles will have arthroscopic surgery Friday to find out what is ailing his right knee, Sutton said.

Charles, who's scoring 8.1 points per game, will be out for an undetermined time. He hurt the knee practicing on New Year's Day.