The Basics
Score: NDSU 72 - ORU 66
Records: NDSU (9-5, 1-0) ORU (6-8, 0-1)
Location: Scheels Arena - Fargo, N.D.

FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State hit 19-of-20 free throws and 11 3-pointers as the defending Summit League champions topped Oral Roberts 72-66 Friday inside Scheels Arena. It was just the third time this year in which ORU has failed to get to the line more than its opponent.

It was all Denell Henderson for ORU early, scoring 15 points to match his season high in the first half alone. Henderson finished with a full stat line setting career highs in points (17) and blocks (5). Obi Emegano took over the second half, scoring 25 points, 15 after the break.

Lawrence Alexander was the story for NDSU, scoring 31 points, the first 30-point scorer allowed by ORU since Anthony Ireland (Loyola Marymount) November 22, 2012. Alexander was 6-10 from 3-point range and 9-9 from the free throw line.

NDSU wasn't the only team hot from long range as ORU hit 10-15 (67 percent) from 3-point range, the best percentage since going 7-14 at Houston Baptist February 13, 2014.

Turning Point
ORU had a 66-64 lead with 42 seconds to play and Lawrence Alexander hit a spinning layup and drew the foul to give NDSU a 67-66 lead.

Individual Leaders
Oral Roberts: Obi Emegano scored 25 points and Denell Henderson scored a career-high 17 points. Henderson, Along with Korey Billbury, each had a team-high seven rebounds.
NDSU: Lawrence Alexander had 31 points, while A.J. Jacobson led the Bison with six rebounds.

Inside the Box Score
- For just the third time this season, ORU's opponent got to the line more than the Golden Eagles with NDSU hitting 19-20 while ORU was 8-9.
- For the second time in three games, ORU hit 10 3-pointers, going 10-15 from long range. The 67 percent was the highest clip since going 10-15 against Texas State in the third game of the 2013-14 season.
- With five blocks, Denell Henderson set a watermark for the team this year and was the first Golden Eagle to post that many since Shawn Glover swatted eight against New Orleans last season.

News & Notes
- Despite a drought of nearly five minutes in the first half, ORU rallied and not only erased a 15-point deficit but used a 10-0 run to take a 34-29 lead.
- Having entered the Christmas break with just four 3-pointers all year, Obi Emegano has now hit three in each of the last three games.
- Denell Henderson set new career highs in points (17) and blocks (5) in the game.
- Korey Billbury hit a season high three 3-pointers.

Up Next
ORU will return home for a Wednesday battle against IUPUI January 7 at 7 p.m. inside the Mabee Center.

For the latest information on ORU men's basketball, follow @ORUMBB on Twitter or go to www.ORUAthletics.com.