ORU EXPERIENCE | COACHES | 2013-14 SQUAD | OPPONENTS | 2012-13 REVIEW | HISTORY
EXHIBITION #1 • OCTOBER 29, 2012
HARDING (1-1) ORAL ROBERTS (0-1)
EXHIBITION #2 • NOVEMBER 3, 2012
68 54
OKLAHOMA BAPTIST (0-3) 54 ORAL ROBERTS (1-1) 74
First non-DI loss since 1994 spoils Cussen’s head coaching debut
Bigham dishes 12 assists, leads crucial 19-0 run in triumphant return
TULSA, Okla. - Harding University built a 13-point halftime lead and never looked back, stunning Oral Roberts University, 68-54, in ORU’s 2012-13 exhibition opener. The setback is the first for the Golden Eagles to a non-NCAA Division I opponent since a 66-63 loss to East Texas Baptist on February 7, 1994.
TULSA, Okla. - Oral Roberts University was in danger of a second straight exhibition loss before a 19-0 2nd half run rescued the Golden Eagles, helping them to a 74-54 victory over Oklahoma Baptist. Kevi Luper led the Golden Eagles with 25 points, eight rebounds and eight steals, while freshman Taylor Cooper added 16 points and four steals. ORU shot 43.7% from the floor, including a 54.1% mark in the second half.
Kevi Luper was the only Golden Eagle in double figures, with 21 points on 8-for-19 shooting. Savanna Buck and Sarah Shelton each tallied a team-best six rebounds.
Jaci Bigham made her 2012-13 debut after missing Monday’s exhibition opener. The senior was a major catalyst for the Golden Eagles, dishing 12 assists.
The loss came in Head Coach Misti Cussen’s debut game in charge of the Golden Eagle program. Shana Holmes led the Bisons with 17 points, while Montana Lewis and Arielle Saunders each scored 12 points. The visitors gained their biggest advantage at the free throw line, where they were 18-of-23 (78.3%) and ORU was just 4-of-10 (40.0%). ORU got off to a rough start, missing 13 of their first 20 shots. The Bisons capitalized, taking a 24-15 lead at the 5:48 mark on a Holmes three-pointer, one of two longrange shots the sophomore hit on the evening.
A 68-54 exhibition loss to Harding on October 29 put a damper on Misti Cussen’s head coaching debut
The road side continued to lead throughout the first half. A 10-0 run, capped by an Anna Strickland basket, stretched the advantage to 34-18 with 1:32 left in the half, and Harding led at the break, 34-21. The Golden Eagles finally shifted into gear at the 10:41 mark, when Luper hit a spot-up three-pointer. The three-ball kicked off a 13-0 ORU run that made the score 51-47 with 6:20 left. But the visitors again responded with class, equaling ORU’s 13-0 run and restoring their 17-point lead. Holmes scored seven points during the stretch, including a pair of free throws to make the lead 64-47 with just 3:02 remaining. ORU never recovered and fell by 14 in front of the home crowd. Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final Statistics
Harding vs Oral Roberts 10/29/12 7 pm at Tulsa, Okla. (Mabee Center) FINAL BOX SCORE
32
Saunders, Arielle Celsor, Kristen Lewis, Montana Holmes, Shana Haney, Tabitha Brown, Michaela Isaac-Boyce, D. Strickland, anna Bramer, Amelia Team Totals
40 00 05 10 01 15 23 33
FG % 1st Half: 10-32 31.3% 3FG % 1st Half: 6-16 37.5% FT % 1st Half: 8-10 80.0%
f f g g g
5-8 2-9 3-9 5-11 1-6 0-5 2-6 2-2 1-2
0-0 1-3 2-2 2-5 1-5 0-3 1-1 0-0 1-2
21-58
8-21
2-2 1-2 4-5 5-6 1-2 0-0 3-4 2-2 0-0
3 7 3 9 5 5 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 3 0 2 0 2 18-23 13 33
2nd half: 11-26 42.3% 2nd half: 2-5 40.0% 2nd half: 10-13 76.9%
10 2 12 3 10 2 2 2 1 2 3 1 0 1 4 0 2 2 2 46 15
TP
A TO Blk Stl
12 6 12 17 4 0 8 6 3
1 2 1 0 2 3 2 0 0
1 2 3 6 1 3 1 0 1 1 68 11 19
2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1 2 3 0 1 0 2 0 1
03
Cooper, Taylor Buck, Savanna Balla, Bernadett Luper, Kevi Daniels, Elisabeth Gade, Emma Velkey, Krisztina Key, Christian Shelton, Sarah Team Totals
21 01 04 12 42
FG % 1st Half: 8-28 3FG % 1st Half: 2-10 FT % 1st Half: 3-6
Min
32 34 29 28 17 18 16 10 16
28.6% 20.0% 50.0%
f f f g g
1-14 2-7 2-3 8-19 0-1 3-3 2-3 2-7 2-3
1-7 0-3 0-0 3-4 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-5 0-0
0-1 1-4 0-0 2-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-2 0-1
22-60
6-19
4-10
2nd half: 14-32 43.8% 2nd half: 4-9 44.4% 2nd half: 1-4 25.0%
1st
2nd
Total
34 21
34 33
68 54
Last FG - HU 2nd-00:36, ORU 2nd-00:26. Largest lead - HU by 17 2nd-11:15, ORU by 2 1st-18:12.
110
##
Player
44
Council, Jalissa Aremi, Zbeyda Brandenburg, Allie Fowler, Charity Beacham, Janell Robinson, Courtney Gabelmann, Bretlin Inoubli, Lilia Austin, Diamond Team Totals
03 05 13 25 10 14 21 33
FG % 1st Half: 10-23 3FG % 1st Half: 5-11 FT % 1st Half: 3-4
Deadball Rebounds 3
1 1 2 2 1 5 6 2 0 2 2 5 1 4 5 5 0 5 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 2 3 2 2 4 6 1 2 1 3 8 26 34 20
TP
A TO Blk Stl
3 5 4 21 0 6 4 7 4
0 1 0 3 3 1 1 1 1
##
Player
Min
03
33 27 12 29 25 8 15 24 27
13
Cooper, Taylor Buck, Savanna Balla, Bernadett Key, Christian Luper, Kevi Gade, Emma Bigham, Jaci Achilefu, Felecia Shelton, Sarah Team Totals
2 3 2 5 2 0 2 1 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4
1 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 0
54 11 19
5
7 200
Game: 22-60 36.7% Game: 6-19 31.6% Game: 4-10 40.0%
Deadball Rebounds 3
Officials: Technical fouls: Harding-None. Oral Roberts-None. Attendance: Score by periods Harding Oral Roberts
That lead would be the high point for Oklahoma Baptist, who surrendered the next 19 points to dissolve any chance they had of springing the upset. Luper scored eight points during the run, and Bigham assisted on five of ORU’s nine consecutive baskets, helping the home team to a healthy 64-46 lead with just over seven minutes to play. The lead would remain in double-digits for the duration of the game.
Total 3-Ptr FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA
f c g g g
1-1 6-13 0-1 4-12 0-5 1-1 5-9 1-4 0-0 18-46
43.5% 45.5% 75.0%
2nd half: 2nd half: 2nd half:
0-0 0-1 0-1 2-7 0-1 1-1 5-9 0-2 0-0
0-0 5-7 0-0 2-2 1-2 0-0 1-2 1-2 0-0
8-22
10-15
8-23 3-11 7-11
34.8% 27.3% 63.6%
Rebounds Off Def Tot PF
1 3 4 2 1 6 7 3 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 4 0 5 5 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 3 0 0 1 1 4 0 2 2 1 2 0 2 7 27 34 20
Game: 18-46 Game: 8-22 Game: 10-15
TP
A TO Blk
2 17 0 12 1 3 16 3 0
1 0 3 1 2 1 2 0 1
Stl
Min
3 8 3 5 4 1 0 1 3
0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 2
17 30 26 29 30 8 31 14 15
54 11 28
3
5 200
39.1% 36.4% 66.7%
Deadball Rebounds 2
Oral Roberts 74
Player
15
But the Bison would not back down. A 9-2 OBU run, capped by a Gabelmann three-pointer, gave the NAIA club a 46-45 lead with 12:30 left in the game.
5 10 200
Game: 21-58 36.2% Game: 8-21 38.1% Game: 18-23 78.3%
Total 3-Ptr Rebounds FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA Off Def Tot PF
##
23
ORU countered with an 11-3 run to rebuild their lead. Luper started the rally with a jumper and finished it with a three-point play, giving the Golden Eagles a 41-33 advantage with 16:49 on the clock.
Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final Statistics Oklahoma Baptist vs Oral Roberts 11/3/12 7 pm at Tulsa, Okla. (Mabee Center)
Oral Roberts 54
13
Jaci Bigham led all players with 12 assists in her first action of the season, including five helpers during a 19-0 second half run
Oklahoma Baptist 54
Total 3-Ptr Rebounds FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA Off Def Tot PF
Player
After closing the gap to 30-28 at the halftime break, OBU completed their comeback just four seconds into the first half when Charity Fowler drained a jumper, tying the game at 30-all.
FINAL BOX SCORE
Harding 68 ##
OBU was led by Zbeyda Aremi with 17 points, while Bretlin Gabelmann added 16 points. OBU shot just 34.8% in the second half and 39.1% for the game.
Points HU ORU
In Paint 20 28
Off T/O 21 22
2nd Fast Chance Break 12 2 2 6
Score tied - 0 times. Lead changed - 1 time.
Bench 17 21
2013 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
23 12 15 01 22 25 42
FG % 1st Half: 11-34 3FG % 1st Half: 2-6 FT % 1st Half: 6-12
Total 3-Ptr FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA
f f f g g
32.4% 33.3% 50.0%
6-14 2-5 5-11 0-4 12-25 2-3 1-4 0-1 3-4
2-6 0-0 0-0 0-3 0-4 1-1 0-1 0-0 0-0
2-4 1-2 1-3 0-0 1-1 1-1 2-3 1-4 0-0
31-71
3-15
9-18
2nd half: 20-37 2nd half: 1-9 2nd half: 3-6
54.1% 11.1% 50.0%
Rebounds Off Def Tot PF
TP
2 2 4 4 2 6 8 1 3 4 7 5 1 2 3 0 5 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 5 2 1 3 4 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 3 18 24 42 15
Game: 31-71 Game: 3-15 Game: 9-18
A TO Blk
16 0 5 2 11 0 0 3 25 1 6 0 4 12 1 0 6 1
3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1
74 19 12
Stl
Min
4 1 1 1 8 0 2 0 2
32 29 20 22 39 6 30 10 12
1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
3 19 200
43.7% 20.0% 50.0%
Deadball Rebounds 4
Officials: Charles Carroll, Jeff Faulconer, Jake Coody Technical fouls: Oklahoma Baptist-None. Oral Roberts-None. Attendance: Exhibition Game Score by periods Oklahoma Baptist Oral Roberts
1st
2nd
Total
28 30
26 44
54 74
Last FG - OBU 2nd-02:36, ORU 2nd-00:10. Largest lead - OBU by 1 2nd-12:30, ORU by 20 2nd-00:10.
Points OBU ORU
In Paint 12 44
Off T/O 11 35
2nd Chance 4 14
Fast Break 0 16
Score tied - 1 time. Lead changed - 2 times.
Bench 22 17