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MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois could not find an answer for Oral Roberts' Dominique Morrison on Thursday night (Dec. 2), dropping a 71-58 decision in the Summit League opener for both teams.

Morrison scored a game-high 35 points, 28 coming in the second half, on 14-of-18 shooting from the field including 6-of-7 from 3-point range.

The Leathernecks (3-4 overall, 0-1 Summit) trailed by 11 late in the first half, but scored seven unanswered over the final 3:23. Jack Houpt hit a 3-pointer and lay-up, and Tommie Tyler hit a basket as Western went into the locker room down 28-24.

Ceola Clark III's three-point play in the first 90 seconds, made it a three point game. From there ORU (3-4, 1-0) went on a 7-0 run, five by Morrison, to extend the lead to 10.

David Gebru and Matt Lander hit consecutive baskets, but Morrison - who was only 2-of-9 beyond the arc this year coming into the game - hit another three. Lander made four straight free throws, cutting it to 40-35, but Morrison accounted for 10 of the next 13 Golden Eagles points and ORU never looked back.

Lander's three-point play cut the deficit to seven with just over six minutes remaining, but once again Morrison hit a key 3-pointer to end Western's run.

Head coach Jim Molinari was disappointed in his team's overall defensive performance.

"We did not play to our identity tonight. We let one guy beat us, and I give all the credit to him (Morrison)," said Molinari. "The end of the first half was really what Western Illinois basketball is about, and we need to learn to extend that type of play."

ORU shot 61.5 percent from the field in the second half, 54.7 for the game (29-of-53), and held a 38-27 edge on the glass.

Lander continued his streak of scoring in double-figures every game this season, hitting all eight of his free throw attempts and finishing with 16 points, four assists, two steals and only one turnover in 36 minutes.

"Matt Lander has been great for us but we need to improve around him," said Molinari.

Gebru added a career-high 13 points and grabbed five boards off the bench, and Houpt scored 10. Clark dished out a team-high five assists and grabbed five rebounds to go with his seven points.

Western shot 42 percent FG for the game, and was 13-of-19 at the free throw line all coming in the second half.

Steven Roundtree added 15 points and 12 rebounds while Damen Bell-Holter also finished with a double-double, 11 points and 10 boards.

The Leathernecks continue their three-game homestand playing host to Centenary this Saturday (Dec. 4). Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.