Nov. 19, 2011

Final Stats

TULSA - Kevi Luper scored 28 points to lead four players in double figures as Oral Roberts defeated Louisiana Tech 92-71 before 1,215 fans at the Mabee Center Saturday afternoon.

Oral Roberts (4-0) shot 58 percent (23-40) from the field in the second half to break open a 38-38 halftime score as the Golden Eagles defeated the Lady Techsters for the first time in the series seven-game history.

Louisiana Tech (0-2) got off to a strong start building as much as a 10-point first half lead at 33-23 on a Whitney Jones three-pointer with 5:39 to play. However, the Golden Eagles hit 6-of-10 field goals down the stretch and Savanna Buck's layup off an inbounds play at the buzzer sent the two teams into the locker room tied at 38-38.

Although Tech shot only 37 percent (13-35) from the field in the opening 20 minutes, the Lady Techsters committed only seven turnovers against an ORU team that entered the game forcing 28 per game. Tech also made the most of the Golden Eagle miscues, outscoring them 14-4 in points off turnovers.

Senior Angie Felton came off the bench to score eight first half points while backcourt teammate Whitney Jones added nine points.

"It was a tale of two halves for us," said Tech head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. "In the first half we did everything that we set out to do. We attacked them on the offensive end and really handled their zone pressure well. We defended well. We kept Luper from getting easy shots. We helped defensively. I thought we played really well on their home floor in the first half.

"In the second half, we got impatient on the offensive end. We didn't defend. We didn't help. We didn't rebound. All the things we did well in the first half, we didn't do in the second half. You can't do that against a good basketball team on their floor."

Shantale Bramble-Donaldson scored the first bucket of the second half to give LA Tech a 40-38 lead but it would be its final as Oral Roberts scored seven straight to take a 45-40 advantage on a Jordan Pyle layup with 17:20 to play.

Freshman Whitney Frazier scored three straight to close the gap to 45-43. However, it was as close at Tech would get as the Lady Techsters struggled defensively. Despite shooting 50 percent (12-24) in the second half, Tech got outscored 54-33 in the final 20 minutes of play as Luper scored 18 of her game-high 28.

"I saw flashes and stretches of really good basketball, especially in that first half," Weatherspoon said. "We showed how good we can be when we execute the game plan. I'm disappointed in our effort in the second half, but we are going to get there. We are going to keep working and keep getting better."

Felton led LA Tech, hitting 6-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-7 three-pointers, to score a career-high 16 points in 24 minutes of action.

"I thought that was Angie's best basketball since she got here," Weatherspoon said. "I am proud of her. She is a great shooter who just needs to stay confident."

Kiara Young and Jasmine Bendolph each added 10 points for Tech.

Tech was outrebounded 44-26, including 25-7 in the second half.

The Lady Techsters return home to face UALR Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.