The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 88 – Omaha 78
Record: ORU (15-5), (6-1) – Omaha (5-15), (0-6)
Location: Baxter Arena (Omaha, Nebraska)

OMAHA, Neb. – The Oral Roberts women's basketball team defeated Omaha, 88-78, behind strong performances from Ruthie Udoumoh and Hannah Cooper.
After tonight's win, the Golden Eagles improve their record to 15-5 for their best start to a season since 1982.

Udoumoh was everywhere on the glass tonight notching her League-leading ninth double-double of the season. The reigning Summit League Player of the Week finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds while adding three assists.

Cooper scored a team-high 19 points against the Mavericks. Cooper added a game-high five steals and shot a perfect 10-of-10 from the foul stripe.

Jalei Oglesby (15), Makyra Tramble (13), and Taleyah Jones (12) rounded out ORU's five players in double-figures. Oglesby continues to be a scoring spark off the bench shooting 60% from the floor tonight and grabbing eight rebounds. The Golden Eagles welcomed Tramble's return as she made her first appearance of the season tonight. The Oklahoma State transfer knocked down a team-high three three pointers tonight while grabbing six boards. Jones rounded out the double-digit scorers as she chipped in 12 points to go along with three steals.

The Golden Eagles struggled to establish a rhythm early in the first quarter. The Mavericks jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead before Head Coach Kelsi Musick called a timeout. Cooper scored eight points in the quarter shooting 6-of-6 from the free throw line to help keep ORU within reach. Omaha led 24-18 after the first quarter.

The Golden Eagles ramped up the pressure in the second quarter as they began connecting from long range. Cooper opened the quarter with a transition three followed by a bucket and the foul by Udoumoh. Tramble tied things up at 28 after draining a left wing jumper for her first points as a Golden Eagle. Two plays later Gentry Baldwin gave ORU the lead after hitting a right wing transition three. The Golden Eagles found their groove on offense and went into the half up 45-41 after Baldwin hit another three as time expired.

ORU extended its lead to nine points after a 5-0 run by Emily Robinson and Udoumoh to open the quarter. The Mavericks climbed back to make it a one possession game at the 4:29 mark before Tramble buried her second three of the night. Robinson scored all eight of her points in the third shooting 3-of-6 from the floor as she helped ORU carry a 63-55 lead into the final quarter of play.

The Golden Eagles reached their largest lead of the game at the 6:44 mark following a 10-0 run to put them up 73-57. The Mavericks, however, responded with their own 10-0 run and cut it back to a six point deficit. The Omaha run finally ended after a three on the wing by Tramble. Jones converted on back-to-back jumpers in the last 2:30 as ORU knocked down its free throws and came away with an 88-78 win on the road.

The Leaders
 
Oral Roberts: Cooper recorded a team-high 19 points while adding three assists. Udoumoh grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds on the way to her ninth double-double.
 
Omaha: Kennedi Grant led the way for Omaha in all three major stats scoring 20 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out four assists.

Inside the Box Score

• ORU sits in second place in the Summit League standings with a 6-1 conference record.
• Five Golden Eagles reached double-digit scoring as Cooper led the way with 19. Oglesby (15), Udoumoh (13), Tramble (13) and Jones (12) rounded out the players in double-digits.
• ORU's bench outscored the Maverick's bench 34-23.
• The Golden Eagles had 17 second chance points compared to Omaha's four.
• The Golden Eagles forced 16 Maverick turnovers while registering 11 steals.
• ORU scored 21 points off of Omaha turnovers.
• Oglesby led the Golden Eagles with a +15 plus/minus rating followed by Tramble's +13.
• ORU outrebounded the Mavericks 49-37 while registering 18 offensive rebounds.
• Cooper led the team in assists for the 16th time this year.
• The Golden Eagles hit 8-of-27 three pointers led by Tramble's three threes.
• ORU was blistering hot in the second quarter scoring 27 points and shooting 4-of-6 from long range in the quarter.
• After struggling from the line in the last game, Cooper stepped up and shot a perfect 10-of-10 from the foul stripe tonight.
• Three Golden Eagles battled foul trouble with four fouls.
• Cooper played all 40 minutes tonight against the Mavericks.

Up Next
 
The Golden Eagles continue their road trip as they head to Brookings, South Dakota to face first place South Dakota State on Sunday, January 28th at 3 p.m. Sunday's contest will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network.
 
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.