The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 83 – South Dakota 61
Record: ORU (9-7), (2-1) – USD (11-5), (1-1)
Location: Sanford Coyote Sports Center (Vermillion, SD.)
VERMILLION, SD – Led by Azailah Funches' career-high 18 points and nine rebounds, the Oral Roberts women's basketball team defeated South Dakota 83-61 on Thursday evening. With the win, the Golden Eagles improved to 9-7 overall and 2-1 in Summit League play.
Oral Roberts had four players score in double figures, led by Funches and Anna Trusty with 18 points apiece. Donley chipped in 16 points, while Ari Gordon added 10.
Led by A'Maya Holton's three offensive rebounds, ORU was strong on the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 12 second-chance points. The Golden Eagles recorded seven blocks on the night, led by Gordon and Holton with two apiece.
After falling behind 9-7, ORU went on a 10-0 run with 3:12 left in the first quarter, capped by a bucket from Funches, to take a 17-9 lead. South Dakota cut into the deficit with a layup in the final 30 seconds of the period, sending ORU into the second quarter with a 17-11 advantage. The Golden Eagles capitalized on six USD turnovers in the opening frame, converting them into six points.
ORU built on its first-quarter lead, going ahead 25-13 before using a 9-0 run starting at the 6:53 mark of the second quarter to extend the advantage to 34-13. The Coyotes cut into the lead late in the period, but the Golden Eagles still held a 38-27 edge at halftime. Oral Roberts dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 21 first-half field goals inside.
The Golden Eagles continued to build on their momentum in the third quarter, using a 9-0 run– punctuated by a Funches three-pointer– to push the lead to 49-29 with 6:24 remaining. South Dakota trimmed the deficit, but a driving layup by Baldwin with two seconds left in the quarter sent ORU into the fourth with a 62-43 advantage. The Golden Eagles knocked down four three-pointers in the period, accounting for 12 of their 24 points.
ORU maintained control in the fourth quarter before a 5-0 run, finished by a Bella Edwards three, pushed the lead to 81-59 with 1:27 remaining. The Golden Eagles closed out the game from there to secure the 83-61 victory. Oral Roberts continued to take advantage in the post, scoring 14 of its 21 fourth-quarter points in the paint.
The Leaders
Oral Roberts: Anna Trusty and Azailah Funches led the Golden Eagles with 18 points apiece, while Funches added a team-high nine rebounds.
South Dakota: Molly Joyce led the Coyotes with 24 points. Alex Flattery recorded a game-high 11 rebounds.
Inside the Box Score
• ORU shot 6-of-14 from three-point range.
• The Golden Eagles held South Dakota to 29.9 percent shooting from the field.
• ORU never trailed after taking a 17-11 first-quarter lead.
• South Dakota was limited to 19.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc (3-of-16).
• ORU converted 21 turnovers into 30 points.
• The Golden Eagles held a 43-37 rebounding advantage.
• Oral Roberts forced 21 turnovers.
• ORU recorded seven team blocks.
• The Golden Eagles grabbed 13 offensive rebounds.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles remain on the road, continuing Summit League play at South Dakota State on Saturday, January 10, at 1 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.
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