Tulsa World: Golden Eagles roll past Harding

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Golden Eagles roll past Harding

By KEVIN HENRY World Correspondent
Published: 11/8/2009 2:32 AM
Last Modified: 11/8/2009 8:02 AM

Unlike the first exhibition game for Oral Roberts, the Golden Eagles came out firing early against Harding (Ark.) on Saturday night at the Mabee Center.

ORU used a 16-2 run early in the first half to take control of the contest on its way to a 99-70 victory over Harding in the final preseason game for the Golden Eagles.

"Our starters did a good job of coming out and establishing themselves tonight," said ORU head coach Scott Sutton, whose team took a 49-27 lead into intermission. "I was also glad to see them come out in the second half and really put the game away."

Six ORU players scored in double digits, including all five starters. Freshman guard Warren Niles led all scorers with 16 points.

Bench scoring was also a plus for the Golden Eagles as ORU reserves outscored Harding 41-16. But there were also concerns for Sutton, whose team committed 23 turnovers and held just a 40-32 edge in rebounding.

"Having that many turnovers simply won't do," Sutton said. "We have to do a better job of rebounding and taking care of the ball. I thought we played better overall defensively tonight, but we took much better care of the ball on Monday night than tonight."

After Harding's Sam Brown hit a 3-pointer to pull the Bison within 11-7, ORU went on a tear. The Eagles held Harding to a field goal during a five-minute span while five ORU players contributed to a 16-2 run that gave the hosts a 27-9 lead with 10:41 left in the first half.

Roderick Pearson electrified the crowd

just before halftime with a between-the-legs pass that Dominique Morrison caught and followed with a dunk. Pearson ended with a game-high seven assists in 22 minutes.

ORU opens the regular season Friday at Wake Forest.

"Wake Forest has a humongous front line, and we will have to do a better job of positioning ourselves for rebounds on Friday night," Sutton said. "We should've done a better job of that tonight, and that's something we'll work on this week." By KEVIN HENRY World Correspondent

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ORU_TXAlum, (11/8/2009 7:42:30 AM)

Wake is going to be a tough game, and impossible to win if we don't take care of the ball. This will be the first game we really miss Hunter McClintock....I can't believe that guy is hurt.

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