The Basics

Score: Oral Roberts 76 – Denver 55
Record: ORU (13-12), (6-6) – DEN (9-17), (3-10)
Location: Mabee Center (Tulsa, Okla.)

TULSA, Oklahoma – Freshman forward Kayten Donley recorded a career-high 23 points in Oral Roberts women's basketball's 76-55 win over Denver on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Golden Eagles move to 13-12 overall and 6-6 in Summit League play.

ORU had three players score in double figures, led by Donley's career-high 23 points. Jalei Oglesby followed with 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Anna Trusty added 11 points.

Oral Roberts pulled down 39 rebounds compared to Denver's 34, led by Donley's seven boards.

The Oral Roberts defense held Denver to just 29 percent shooting from the field, including 11.5 percent from three-point range. The Golden Eagles also limited Coryn Watts to 6-of-21 shooting in the game.

After jumping out to an 11-6 advantage, Oral Roberts went on a 13-0 run with 5:24 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Alana Shetlar to increase its lead to 24-6. The Golden Eagles then lost some ground but still entered the quarter break with a 28-11 advantage. ORU did most of its first-quarter damage in the paint, scoring 16 of its 28 points close to the basket.

ORU maintained its first-quarter lead before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 3:39 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from A'Maya Holton, to extend its lead to 44-22. The Pioneers cut into the lead, but the Golden Eagles still held a 44-25 advantage heading into halftime. ORU again dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 16 second-quarter points close to the basket.

ORU continued to protect its halftime lead before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Donley, to expand its lead to 51-27 with 7:24 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Pioneers cut into the deficit, but the Golden Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 57-37 edge. ORU played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 13 third-quarter points in the paint.

Oral Roberts kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Donley's layup, to grow the lead to 72-49 with 3:06 to play. The Pioneers narrowed the margin late, but the Golden Eagles cruised the rest of the way for the 76-55 win. ORU took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 19 fourth-quarter points in the paint.

The Leaders

Oral Roberts: Kayten Donley led the Golden Eagles with a career-high 23 points and seven rebounds.

Denver: Coryn Watts led Denver with 15 points, while Brooke Murrell grabbed a game-best eight rebounds.

Inside the Box Score

·      The Golden Eagles held the Pioneers to 29 percent shooting from the field.

·      Oral Roberts had a stellar defensive performance, holding Denver to 11.5 percent from beyond the arc on 26 attempts.

·      Oral Roberts had a 39-34 edge on the boards in the win.

·      The Oral Roberts defense forced 22 turnovers.

·      Kayten Donley led the Golden Eagles with a game-high 23 points.

·      Donley also recorded a team-high seven rebounds.

Up Next

The Golden Eagles remain at home to take on South Dakota State on Thursday, February 19 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.

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