Box Score
TULSA, Okla. - Oral Roberts University returns
from an eight-day Christmas break when they face the University of
South Dakota on Dec. 29 in Vermillion, S.D. Tip-off in the
DakotaDome is scheduled for 7 pm in ORU's second Summit League game
of the season.
Radio coverage of Thursday's game starts at 6:45 pm CT on KYAL-AM
1550 in Tulsa and around the globe at ORUGoldenEagles.com. Also, a
live video feed of the game is available at USDCoyotes.com.
The Golden Eagles (7-5, 1-0 Summit League) last played on Dec. 21,
when they were tripped by the University of Kansas, 85-68. Naismith
Trophy candidate Kevi Luper led ORU with 20 points, and senior Jordan Pyle added 13 points and a team-best eight
rebounds. Post defense was ORU's biggest obstacle in the loss, as
Kansas scored 52 of their 85 points in the paint.
One bright spot in the loss to Kansas was the play of senior Georgia Jones. The England native was 2-for-4 from
three-point range and scored a dozen points while dishing seven
assists.
Jones is averaging 8.0 assists per game in ORU's last two
contests.
The injury bug was an issue for Jerry Finkbeiner's team in their loss to Kansas.
Junior Jaci Bigham and freshman Emma Gade (who is out for the season) both missed the
fixture with knee injuries, while Pyle tweaked her ankle late in
the contest. Both Bigham and Pyle are expected to suit up when the
Golden Eagles face South Dakota on Thursday.
The Coyotes (8-2, 1-1 Summit League) have won three straight games
and feature reigning Summit League Player of the Week Amber Hegge.
The low post threat averages 18.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game
after a 14-point, eight-rebound effort in USD's 66-54 win over
Idaho State on Dec. 21.
ORU and first-year Summit League member South Dakota have never met
prior to Thursday's clash. The Golden Eagles are 5-5 all-time in
the state of South Dakota, where the last three League Tournaments
have been held.
Thursday's battle is the first leg of ORU's first two-game League
road trip of the 2011-12 season. The road swing concludes on Dec.
31, when the Golden Eagles face UMKC at 2 pm CT.
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