TULSA, Okla. – Oklahoma Baptist (1-2, 0-0 GAC) gave Oral Roberts (3-2, 0-0 Summit League) everything they could handle as the Golden Eagles had to fend off a persistent OBU squad late to prevail 98-86 in Saturday night's exhibition inside the Mabee Center.
The Bison were within five of the Summit League preseason favorite with 11 minutes to go in the second half, but saw its momentum stall as ORU knocked down back-to-back triples to push its lead back to a comfortable margin.
The two three-pointers were a part of 12 total for the opposition. Conversely, Oklahoma Baptist sunk nine, but posted a better shooting clip from deep (40.9%).
Besides its three-point percentage, Oral Roberts held the advantage in all the statistical categories. OBU posted a 47.3 field-goal percentage, its second best this season, as a 45.9 percent effort in the closing half nearly brought the Golden Eagles to its knees.
ORU got out to a 9-4 lead to start the contest after hitting four of its first six shots. It was all Oral Roberts afterward as the advantage would reach as far as 19, 53-34, with 2:44 left in the inaugural stanza.
By the break, the Bison were down 57-41.
A different OBU squad came out in the second half as a D.J. Freeman layup sparked a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 57-48 with 18:16 on the clock. Then a Josh Udoumoh layup put the Bison within nine with 16:24 remaining.
ORU regained control afterward, answering every OBU score. Finally, Oklahoma Baptist broke through as a Bradley Akhile three-pointer cut the Golden Eagle cushion to eight under the 12-minute mark.
Akhile's jumper met the bottom of the net again to put the good guys within five to cap a 6-0 run.
Oral Roberts escaped the out-stretched arms of OBU the rest of the way as timely three-point makes sealed tonight's defeat.
Freeman paced Oklahoma Baptist with 18 points on 8-16 (50%) shooting to go along with a team lead in rebounds (6). Trey Doomes followed with 14 points, six assists, and four boards, while Paul King pitched in 11 points.
Ricky Brown registered 11 points after netting 4-6 from the field and two beyond the arc. Akhile and Ethan Scott finished with nine and seven points, respectively.
The two combined for five three-pointers, highlighted by Akhile's season best of three from deep.
Oklahoma Baptist will return home on Tuesday, November 22, for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with Washburn (2-2, 0-0 MIAA) inside the Noble Complex.
