The Basics
Oral Roberts (8-8, 2-1) vs. St. Thomas (12-6, 2-1)
Game Date/Time: Thursday, January 11, 2024 / 7 p.m.
Location: Mabee Center / Tulsa, Okla.
TV/Video: Summit League Network
Audio: 99.9 FM ESPN Radio
Stats: ORU Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team looks for its 11^th-straight Summit League home win Saturday, January 13 as the St. Thomas Tommies will visit the Mabee Center at 7 p.m.

It's Youth Sports/Jersey Night at the Mabee Center and thanks to our good friends at WeStreet Credit Union and fans can get FREE tickets by visiting www.oruathletics.com/freetickets.

Fans can tune in to watch the game via national television on Summit League Network or by following along on Twitter @ORUMBB

Important Links
ORU Game Notes
Opponent Game Notes
Summit League Notes

Quick Hits

• Issac McBride was named to the Preseason All-Summit League First Team and Kareem Thompson earned a spot on the Second Team as the Golden Eagles were picked second in the league's preseason poll, but did receive seven first place votes.

• McBride was named Summit League Player of the Week on November 20 and December 4. He's had nine 20-plus point outings and 13 10-plus point outings so far this season. He continues to lead the team in scoring by averaging 19.7 points per game. He has recorded more than 1,000 points during his time at ORU.

• Earlier this season, ORU had the nation's longest winning streak with 21-straight home wins. The Golden Eagles still have a 10-conference home game win streak.

• Through 16 games, along with McBride, three other Golden Eagles average double-digits. Newcomer Jailen Bedford averages 14.5 ppg., Kareem Thompson adds 12.8 ppg., and DeShang Weaver scores 10.5 ppg.

• Thompson currently ranks second in the nation in most minutes (38.37) played and not far behind is McBride in fourth (37.59). The Golden Eagles are 8th in the country in fewest turnovers per game at 9.3.

• McBride is currently 30th in the country in points per game.

• As a team, ORU leads the Summit League in blocks, three-pointers per game, low turnover margin and fewest turnovers per game.

• Russell Springmann took over the ORU program and is in his first season as a head coach of his career. He is in his sixth season at ORU. He earned his first career head coaching win on Nov. 6, 2023, with a 75-71 victory over Mid-America Christian. He earned his first Division-I win with a 65-63 victory at home against Texas Southern.

Scouting the Opponent
 
• This will be the 6th meeting all-time between ORU and St. Thomas. The Golden Eagles have won all five previous matchups with the Tommies, including the previous meeting on March 6, 2023, with a 70-65 victory in the Summit League semifinals. At the Mabee Center, ORU is 2-0.

• The Tommies are 12-6 on the season and 2-1 in Summit League action. In its most recent game, UST lost at home to South Dakota State, 81-80.

• Parker Bjorklund leads UST with 13.5 ppg., Raheem Anthony is right behind with 10.9 ppg., and Kendall Blue with 10.1 ppg.

• South Dakota was picked to finish 4th in the Summit League preseason poll.

For the latest information on ORU Men's Basketball, follow the Golden Eagles on Twitter and Instagram, or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the ORU Athletics app from the App Store or Google Play Store.