Box Score
The Basics
Score: Denver 73 - ORU
66
Records: Denver (9-10, 3-3 SL) - ORU (10-9, 4-2
SL)
Location: Magness Arena - Denver, Colo.
DENVER, Colo. - Despite one of its best
shooting performances in more than a year, the Oral Roberts men's
basketball team went cold down the stretch and fell 73-66 at Denver
Wednesday night.
The Golden Eagles shot 61 percent (25-41) for the game, the
first time shooting above 60 percent from the field since November
16, 2013, but scored just one point in the final 6:59 of the
contest after grabbing a 12-point lead.
Denell
Henderson posted the best offensive performance of his career,
scoring 18 points, including 14 in the first half. Henderson was
6-9 from the field and 6-7 from the free throw line. Darian
Harris also posted a career night for ORU with career highs in
points (9), 3-pointers (3) and rebounds with a team-high seven
boards.
Nate Engesser scored 18 points to lead the Pioneers while Marcus
Byrd added 11. Preseason Summit League Player of the Year Brett
Olson was just 3-8 for the night for nine points.
Quote of the Game
"It was a total collapse on our part, on both ends of the court.
Darian played a good game but our two all-conference caliber guards
in Korey and Obi have to step up and make plays in a game like
this." - Head Coach Scott
Sutton
Turning Point
ORU took a 12-point lead (65-53) on Obi
Emegano's jumper with 6:59 to go, but would not hit another
field goal the rest of the way as Denver finished the game
out-scoring ORU 20-1.
Individual Leaders
Oral Roberts: Denell
Henderson led the way with 18 pointis. Korey
Billbury (12) and Obi
Emegano (10) each hit double figures as well. Darian
Harris led the Golden Eagles in rebounding with a career high
seven boards.
Denver: Nate Engesser was 7-9 and 4-5 from
3-point range en route to a team-high 18 points. Marcus Byrd was
the only other Pioneer in double figures with 11.
Inside the Box Score
- ORU hit 10 of its first 11 shots of the game and
went on to shoot 14-19 (73.7 percent) in the first half, but turned
it over eight times in the first 20 minutes.
- The Golden Eagles lost despite shooting 61 percent (25-41) for
the game, the best field goal percentage since November 16, 2013
against Texas State.
- ORU got to the free throw line 17 times and hit just 10 of them
(58.8 percent). It was the fewest free throws made since hitting
six against Oklahoma.
- Denver held an eight-point edge at the free throw line,
connecting on 18 of 21 (85.7 percent) of their attempts. ORU is now
0-5 this year when its opponent makes more free throws.
News & Notes
- ORU was held without a field goal for the final
6:59 of the game.
- Denver ended the game on a 20-1 run.
- The loss snapped ORU's four-game winning streak.
- Denell
Henderson set new career highs in points (18) and made free
throws (6).
- Darian
Harris had his best game as a Golden Eagle with career highs in
points (9), field goals (3), 3-pointers (3) and rebounds (7).
Up Next
ORU returns home to face South Dakota State Saturday
night at 7 p.m. ORU will welcome its three newest hall of famers at
halftime of the game with an unveiling of the new ORU Athletics
Hall of Fame display in the North Lobby of the Mabee Center at
noon.
For the latest information on ORU men's basketball, follow @ORUMBB on Twitter or go
to www.ORUAthletics.com.
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