Golden Eagles defeat Leathernecks, 82-52

TULSA, Okla.- Kevi Luper scored 25 points to lead Oral Roberts past Western Illinois, 82-52, Monday night at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla.

“We knew it was going to be difficult against the No. 1 team in the conference tonight,” said Western Illinois head coach Leslie Crane. “We took away some good things from the game and those are the things we need to focus on for next weekend when we play UMKC and Southern Utah.”

The Fighting Leathernecks (9-16, 5-9 Summit League) kept the game close throughout the first seven and a half minutes of the game as the game was tied at 12 before the Golden Eagles (18-8, 12-3 Summit League) went on a 22-5 run capped by a Kelly Kindel three pointer at the 4:43 mark. The Leathernecks went on a 7-3 run over the next 3:39 before Kevi Luper knocked down a three-point basket with four seconds left in the half to give the Golden Eagles a 39-24 lead heading into halftime.

Oral Roberts started the second half on a 16-7, taking a 26-point lead (57-31) at the 13:34 mark. The Golden Eagles offense continued to dominate as they took their largest lead of the game (80-45) with 3:57 remaining in the game. Western's defense only allowed two more points in the game, but the damage was already done as the Leathernecks lost their ninth conferene game of the season.

Anneloes Kodde led the Leathernecks with 12 points while Anne Borgertpoepping added 11 points. Ashley Lord and Jordon O'Brien both chipped in eight points.

“Anne (Borgertpoepping) had another great night for us,” said Crane. “Jordon (O'Brien) had a good floor game, but didn't shoot the ball very well.”

The Golden Eagles out shot Western by six (65-59) and connected on 41.5 percent of their shots from the field compared to Western's 33.9 percent.

The Leathernecks won the battle on the glass by two (40-38), paced by Borgertpoepping and Lord who both grabbed seven rebounds. Kodde added five rebounds and Jackie Barton and Michele Salvatori added four.

“We out rebounded them and that was great to see,” said Crane. “Our defense also held Jaci Bigham to only six points tonight.”

Oral Roberts forced 23 Leatherneck turnovers in the contest and recorded 10 steals, led by Luper who had a game-high three steals.

The Leathernecks continue Summit League action as they play their final two home games against UMKC on Saturday, Feb. 20 and against Southern Utah on Monday, Feb. 22. The UMKC game will serve as the team's annual Pink Zone game while the Southern Utah contest will be senior night in honor of Leatherneck seniors Lord and O'Brien.

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Players Mentioned

#24 Jordon O'Brien: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#14 Anneloes Kodde: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#33 Anne Borgertpoepping: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#50 Ashley Lord: C; 6' 4"; Senior

#12 Jackie Barton: G/F; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#24 Jordon O'Brien
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#14 Anneloes Kodde
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#33 Anne Borgertpoepping
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#50 Ashley Lord
: 6' 4"; Senior
: C

#12 Jackie Barton
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G/F