The Basics
Score: Memphis 78 - ORU 63
Records: Memphis (6-4) - ORU (4-6)
Location: FedEx Forum - Memphis, Tenn.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The front court of Memphis accounted for 15 total blocks and the Oral Roberts University men's basketball team fell 78-63 Saturday afternoon at FedEx Forum.

Korey Billbury had a game-high 21 points, while Obi Emegano and Albert Owens, who made his first collegiate start on Saturday, each added 10.

Led by Austin Nichols, who alone had a career high eight blocks, the Tigers set an ORU opponent record with 15 team blocks. Nichols also led the offensive effort with 15 points. Pookie Powell added 14, Trahson Burrel chipped in 12 and Avery Woodson scored 10 points.

Memphis led ORU in rebounds 48-34, but despite lopsided rebounding numbers, had just a 40-36 advantage over ORU in points in the paint and 13-9 edge in second-chance points.

Quote of the Game
"To win a game like this you have to show a great amount of toughness. Toughness comes in a lot of forms; getting in there and blocking out, and finishing shots. Our inability to finish shots, especially around the rim, just killed us. Give them credit, Nichols was terrific in there blocking shots." - Head Coach Scott Sutton

Turning Point
Down 56-51 with 8:31 to play, ORU had chances to get closer, but offensive rebounds and fast-break baskets led Memphis on a 13-1 run to break the game open at 69-52 with 2:41 to go.

Individual Leaders
Oral Roberts: Korey Billbury had a game high 21 points and a team high seven rebounds. Albert Owens and Obi Emegano each added 10 points. Owens also had four of the team's six blocks.
Memphis: Austin Nichols got it done on both sides, leading Memphis in points (15), rebounds (9) and blocks (8).

Inside the Box Score
- ORU shot 33 percent (22-65) from the field and just 20 percent (3-15) from 3-point range.
- Memphis shot 42 percent (26-61) from the field and hit 38 percent (5-13) from long range.
- ORU had six blocks in the game, four of which came from freshman Albert Owens.
- The Golden Eagles had seven steals in the game, the third most for ORU this season.

News & Notes
- After falling behind by as many as 15 in the first half, ORU clawed back and cut it to three, 29-26, with a 14-2 run of their own spanning five minutes in the first half.
- Memphis set the ORU opponent record with 15 blocks in the game. The previous record was 13, which had happened twice before, most recently against Minnesota December 12, 2003.
- Individually, Austin Nichols' eight blocks were the most for an ORU opponent since Brandon Edwards of UTA blocked six March 20, 2013.
- ORU is now 0-5 on the road this season, with losses to Missouri, Oregon State, Weber State, No. 15 Oklahoma and Memphis.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles will travel to Springfield, Mo., for a Monday date with Missouri State December 22 before taking a break for Christmas.

For the latest information on ORU men's basketball, follow @ORUMBB on Twitter or go to www.ORUAthletics.com.

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