The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 76 – Kansas City 61
Record: ORU (8-4), (1-0) – Kansas City (7-7), (0-1)
Location: Mabee Center (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

TULSA, Okla. – Five players scored in double-digits for the sixth time this season as the Oral Roberts women's basketball team took care of Kansas City, 76-61, on Friday night inside the Mabee Center.

Taleyah Jones scored a game-high 20 points in tonight's matchup. The sophomore guard shot an efficient 8-of-14 from the floor while burying all three of her free throws.

Hannah Cooper showcased her versatility scoring 16 points, dishing out four assists, and collecting four steals as the graduate student put together a strong all-around performance. Cooper played all 40 minutes of tonight's game despite battling foul trouble in the second half.

Jalei Oglseby (12), Ruthie Udoumoh (11), and Emily Robinson (10) rounded out the double-figure scorers for the Golden Eagles. Oglesby was relentless on the glass racking up five offensive rebounds. Udoumoh recorded her eighth straight game of double-digit scoring while Robinson was able to get in a rhythm again on the offensive end of the floor.

ORU opened the game on a roll. The Golden Eagles jumped out to quick 11-0 lead behind five points from Weinrich forcing Dionnah Jackson-Durrett to call an early timeout. Out of the timeout, the Roos found their way into the scoring column thanks to a layup by Nariyah Simmons. Both teams began trading baskets for the remainder of the quarter as UMKC slowly brought themselves back into the game. ORU held a six point advantage after the first quarter leading 19-13.

The Roos began the second quarter with a higher sense of urgency as they were able to tie the game 22-22 with 5:18 on the clock before a Robinson three put the Golden Eagles back ahead. ORU closed the quarter outscoring UMKC 10-5 behind five points from Oglesby off the bench. The Golden Eagles battled foul trouble throughout the quarter as the Roos shot 12 free throws in the second period alone but entered the break on top with a 35-26 lead.

Out of the break, both teams traded baskets in the first four possessions of play. Two minutes into the third, Cooper went on a personal 5-0 run converting on a layup and the foul and connecting on a second chance layup on the very next possession. This pushed ORU's lead out to 12 which they held into the media timeout. The Golden Eagles stretched their lead to 14 before the Roos put together a 7-0 run to cut their deficit in half. A pair of Oglesby free throws in the final 21 seconds gave ORU a 55-46 lead going into the fourth quarter.

With 8:01 remaining, Cooper buried her first three of the game to spark an 8-0 Golden Eagle run, growing ORU's lead to 17. UMKC brought themselves back within 11 with 4:42 to play, but the poise of the Golden Eagles was unwavering as they controlled the remainder of the game. Jones iced the game with an emphatic layup and the foul with 36 seconds left as ORU came away with a 76-61 victory to open up Summit League play.
 
The Leaders
 
Oral Roberts: Jones led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting for her fifth 20-point outing of the season. Oglesby pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass. Cooper and Weinrich each dished out a game-high four assists.
 
Kansas City: Guard Emani led the Roos with 15 points while Ifunanya Nwachukwu registered a 10 point and 16 rebounds for a double-double.

Inside the Box Score

• Five Golden Eagles landed in double-figure scoring led by Jones (20), Cooper (16), Oglesby (12), Udoumoh (11), and Robinson (10).
• Weinrich posted a game-high +16 plus/minus rating.
• ORU's speed was on full display as the Golden Eagles outscored the Roos in fast break points 15-2.
• Kansas City won the rebounding battle 44-39.
• ORU held the Roos to 13.3% (2-15) shooting from the three point line.
• Five players had four or more fouls tonight as 47 total fouls were called in the contest.
• Tonight's victory is the first time the Golden Eagles have won their Summit League opener since the 2020-21 season.
• Cooper played all 40 minutes in tonight's contest.
• Jones went a perfect 3-of-3 from the free throw line to boost her percentage to 93.0% on the year.

Up Next
 
The Golden Eagles will be back in action Sunday afternoon for a New Year's Eve matchup against Denver at 2:00 p.m. inside the Mabee Center.
 
For the latest information on ORU women's basketball, follow @ORUWBB on X or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the ORU Athletics App in the Google Play or App Store.

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