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The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 88 – Denver 84
Record: ORU (7-6, 4-1 SL) – DU (1-9, 0-3 SL)
Location: Denver, Colo. (Hamilton Gymnasium)
 
DENVER, Colo. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team fought off a last-ditch rally by Denver securing a road win, 88-84, at Denver Friday afternoon getting double-digit points from four players.
 
The Golden Eagles picked up their first-ever win in Denver and had to fight to the finish after holding a double-digit lead in the final 90 seconds. Max Abmas poured in 34 points as the Pioneers attempted to limit ORU from 3-point range making ORU change its offensive strategy.
 
ORU had to weather an early 8-0 run by Denver falling behind 13-8 before finding its rhythm offensively during a 12-2 run covering 3:19 taking a 20-15 lead capped on a D'Mauria Jones drive. Obanor controlled the glass early pulling down six rebounds in less than 10 minutes, while the Golden Eagles exploited the Pioneers in the paint by attacking the rim as eight different players scored a basket in the first half.
 
A DeShang Weaver triple pushed ORU's advantage to 31-23 and Abmas added a bucket for a seven-point margin at the 5:11 mark. Denver responded by tallying eight-straight points to jump ahead, 37-36. It was a back-and-forth affair over the final three minutes of the frame as the lead changed five times before halftime with Denver able to take a 45-44 lead into the locker room.
 
The Golden Eagles came out of the break on a mission and took a 51-47 advantage as RJ Glasper connected from distance. The Pioneers were able to put together a 6-0 run to regain a lead, 59-56, before an Abmas and-one evened the score. The visitors pushed right back and used a 10-2 run spanning more than four minutes for a five-point cushion and eventually stretched that margin to 11 with 1:31 to play in regulation.
 
After Weaver delivered a thundering, two-handed slam that gave ORU an 83-73 advantage, Denver rallied making it a one-possession game in the next 30 seconds. It was Glasper's four free throws late that sealed the road win for the Golden Eagles, 88-84.
 
Turning Point
Trailing by three points in the middle stages of the second half, Abmas drove to the rim and scored through contact while drawing a foul. The Rockwall, Texas, native hit the ensuing free throw to tie the game and kick-start a 10-2 run for the Golden Eagles that turned the momentum of the game.
 
Individual Leaders
Oral Roberts: Abmas consistently found his way to the rim as the sophomore altered his game to match the defense on his way to 34 points. He added five rebounds and five assists playing all but 31 seconds of the contest.

Denver: Jase Townsend scored 20 of his team-leading 27 points in the second half as the Pioneers made a furious comeback bid late in the game.

Inside the Box Score
- Abmas went off for his Summit League-leading third game with at least 30 points this season totaling 34. He also converted a pair of old-fashioned, 3-point plays in the second half.
 
- Glasper and Weaver joined the list of Golden Eagles in double figures adding 14 and 12 points, respectively. The duo came up clutch in the final minutes combining for eight of the team's final nine points as both shot 2-of-3 from 3-point range overall. Glasper made all six of his free-throw attempts on the day with four coming in the final 22 seconds.
 
- Obanor had to overcome foul trouble before eventually fouling out and finished his afternoon tallying 11 points and eight rebounds snapping a streak of five-straight games with a double-double.
 
- Carlos Jürgens quietly had an impressive day off the bench hitting both of his shot attempts for six points, while adding three assists and three steals.
 
News and Notes
- The Golden Eagles had never won in Denver prior to Friday dropping the previous seven meetings dating back to the first trip to the Mile High City in 1998.
 
- ORU used a strong free-throw shooting performance to seal the victory late going 17-of-19 for the day.
 
- For the first time this season, the Golden Eagles shot fewer than 25 3-point attempts registering a 9-of-18 effort overall.
 
Up Next
ORU and Denver meet to close the weekend series at Hamilton Gymnasium Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT) with live audio coverage on the ORU Sports Network and 99.9FM ESPN Radio.
 
For the latest information on ORU Men's Basketball, follow the Golden Eagles on Twitter and Instagram, or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the ORU Athletics app from the App Store or Google Play Store.