ORU Survives In Double-OT, Beats W. Illinois - WSET.com - ABC13

ORU Survives In Double-OT, Beats W. Illinois

A win is a win.  That was especially true for Oral Roberts Thursday night, as they win an ugly double-overtime game at Western Illinois, 71-70.

Dominique Morrison lead the way for the Golden Eagles, scoring 27 points in what was a poor shooting night for ORU.  As a team, they shot just 41.8% from the field - including 16.7% from three-point range.

Western Illinois missed a lay-up at the end of regulation to send the game to its first overtime.  After two Tommie Tyler free-throws tied the game at 60, Morrison missed what would be a game-winning three.

In the second overtime, the Golden Eagles would trail by two with just 1:27 left to play after a David Gerbau lay-up for the Fighting Leathernecks.  Warren Niles would answer, hitting a jumper to tie the game at 70.

After a Western Illinois missed jumper, ORU had the ball and ran the clock down for a final shot.  Morrison was fouled with 0:08 on the clock.  He would hit the first free-throw, giving ORU a 71-70 lead.  The second shot was missed intentionally, and after a Western Illinois turnover the Golden Eagles were able to run the clock out.

The win is ORU's 8th in a row, and sixth-straight to start the Summit League season.  Oral Roberts stays on the road for its next game on Saturday, at IUPUI.  Tip-off is at 6 PM.