The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 97 – Friends 65
Record: ORU (1-0), (0-0) –Friends (2-1), (0-0)
Location: Mabee Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
TULSA, OK – With more than 6,000 local elementary and middle school students showing their support, the Oral Roberts women's basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a 97-65 win over Friends University, marking the first victory under head coach Cophie Anderson. The win was fueled by a collegiate debut double-double from A'Maya Holton, who tallied 26 points and 11 rebounds on Monday.
The Golden Eagles (1-0) had four players score in double figures, led by Holton's 26 points and 11 boards. Jalei Oglesby added 19 points and five steals, while Kayten Donley contributed 14 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Anna Trusty chipped in 11 points, three steals and a block.
Oral Roberts started strong, taking a 15-12 lead after the first quarter. The Golden Eagles did most of their early damage in the paint, scoring eight of their 15 first-quarter points near the basket.
ORU built its advantage to 32-25 before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 3:00 mark in the second quarter, highlighted by a bucket from Gentry Baldwin, to extend the lead to 40-25. The Falcons trimmed the margin slightly, but the Golden Eagles still held a 42-28 advantage at halftime. ORU forced nine Friends turnovers in the period, converting them into 13 points.
The Golden Eagles carried the momentum into the third quarter, scoring 16 of their 32 points in the paint while holding Friends to 16 points. ORU stretched its lead to 49-32 before going on a 17-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Donley, to make it 66-32 with 3:47 remaining in the period. Friends battled back, but ORU's defense held firm, entering the fourth quarter with a 74-44 edge.
Oral Roberts maintained control down the stretch, going on a 6-0 run finished by a Holton layup to push the lead to 88-58 with 3:05 left. The Golden Eagles continued to roll, closing out the contest with a 97-65 win to open the season.
The Leaders
Oral Roberts: A'Maya Holton made her collegiate debut with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Friends: Lauryn McIver led the Falcons with 20 points, while Rayland Garner grabbed eight rebounds.
Inside the Box Score
- Four Golden Eagles scored in double figures.
- All 12 players saw action, with three newcomers starting and logging 20-plus minutes.
- ORU shot 50.0 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three, and 77.4 percent from the free-throw line.
- The Golden Eagles held the advantage in points off turnovers (41-12), fast-break points (27-19) and points in the paint (54-30).
- ORU never trailed after taking a 15-12 lead in the first quarter.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will take on Haskell on Thursday at 7 p.m. for their annual N7 and Native American Appreciation Game.
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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