The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 60 – North Dakota State 73
Record: ORU (11-14), (5-7) – North Dakota State (13-13), (6-5)
Location: Mabee Center (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

TULSA, Okla. - Oral Roberts had three scorers in double-digits, but it wasn't enough as the Golden Eagles fell, 73-60, to North Dakota State in Summit League action Thursday night inside the Mabee Center.
 
After a quick start to the game found ORU leading at the first media timeout, NDSU used a methodical offense to scratch out a 38-30 halftime advantage. Both teams were stagnant at times in the second half, but the Golden Eagles struggled from beyond the arc in particular, shooting just 1-11 in the second half and only 24% from three-point range in the game. Meanwhile, NDSU shot 39% from three on 23 attempts.
 
Oral Roberts did manage to claw back to within five points with four minutes to go, but failed to make a field goal over the final four minutes of the contest, even while a string of stops kept the Golden Eagles within striking distance. NDSU would close the game on a 10-2 run over the final 4:51.
 
ORU's veteran backcourt was steady as usual. Issac McBride and Kareem Thompson each managed 14 points despite below average shooting nights. They also combined for 13 rebounds. Jailen Bedford added 12 points and eight rebounds of his own. Ashton Smith put in solid work in the post, blocking two shots and scoring seven of ORU's nine total bench points.
 
The Bison were led by 18 points on 7-9 FG shooting by Tajavis Miller, as well as 18 points and nine rebounds from Andrew Morgan. Redshirt Freshman Noah Fedderson struggled from the field and scored only three points, but contributed a game-high ten rebounds.
 
ORU did see improvement in the turnover category, giving the ball away only ten times and ending the game with two fewer turnovers than the Bison. The Golden Eagles also led in paint points 34-32.
 
The Leaders
 
Oral Roberts: McBride and Thompson led the Golden Eagles in scoring with 14 points shooting each.
 
North Dakota State: Andrew Morgan and Tajavis Miller each scored 18 points for the Bison.

Inside the Box Score
 
- ORU shot 24.0 percent from the three-point line.
 
- ORU shot 34.8 percent from the field.

- The Golden Eagles had seven assists on 23 made baskets.

- Oral Roberts had 34 points in the paint and nine bench points.
 
- McBride and Thompson played all 40 minutes in tonight's contest.
 
Up Next
 
ORU is back in action at home on Saturday night against North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks will enter the Mabee Center as the top team in the Summit League standing as tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m.