The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 76 – South Dakota State 103
Record: ORU (9-8), (2-2) – SDSU (13-4), (3-0)
Location: First Bank & Trust Arena (Brookings, SD)
 
BROOKINGS, South Dakota – Freshman guard Bella Edwards posted a career-best 13 points, all in the second quarter, as the Oral Roberts women's basketball team fell 103-76 at South Dakota State on Saturday afternoon.


 
The Golden Eagles had three players score in double figures, led by Gentry Baldwin with 14 points. Edwards added 13 points off the bench, followed by Anna Trusty with 10 points and two steals.
 
Led by Presley Hartsock's six rebounds, the Golden Eagles grabbed 37 boards on the afternoon. Oral Roberts forced 14 South Dakota State turnovers and converted those takeaways into 16 points. Azailah Funches led ORU defensively with four steals.
 
ORU's bench totaled 36 points, paced by Edwards' 13. Hartsock followed with nine points, while Taylor Jackson added eight.
 
The Golden Eagles struggled out of the gate, falling behind 32-12 at the end of the first quarter.
 
ORU cut the Jackrabbits' lead to 41-25 before going on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer, a basket in the paint, and two free throws– all from Edwards– to narrow the deficit to 41-32 in the second quarter. The Golden Eagles maintained a single-digit deficit heading into halftime, trailing 43-34. Edwards led the period, shooting 4-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Oral Roberts' deficit grew after halftime, as the Golden Eagles faced a 76-50 disadvantage heading into the fourth quarter. ORU found success near the basket, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.
 
The Golden Eagles opened the final period with energy, cutting the deficit to 76-55 with 9:24 remaining. South Dakota State responded by outscoring ORU the rest of the way to secure the 103-76 win. ORU capitalized on three SDSU turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off those takeaways.
 
The Leaders
Oral Roberts: Gentry Baldwin led the team with 14 points, followed closely by Bella Edwards' career-best 13. Presley Hartsock grabbed a team-high six rebounds, while Azailah Funches recorded four steals. Taylor Jackson added two blocks.
South Dakota State: Brooklyn Meyer led SDSU with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.

Inside the Box Score

• Oral Roberts' bench accounted for 36 points.
• The Golden Eagles forced 14 turnovers.
• ORU collected 12 offensive rebounds.
• Gentry Baldwin paced the Golden Eagles with 14 points.
• Presley Hartsock led the team with six rebounds.

 
Up Next
The Golden Eagles return to the Mabee Center to take on Kansas City on Thursday, January 15, at 7 p.m.

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.