Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks Hold Off Oral Roberts Golden Eagles 80-71 Behind Ja'Sean Glover's 26 Points

The Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks secured a crucial 80-71 win over the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, thanks in large part to Ja'Sean Glover's impressive 26-point performance, which accounted for nearly a third of Omaha's total points. Omaha's ability to outscore Oral Roberts by 13 points in the first half, taking a 43-30 lead into the break, set the tone for the rest of the game. The Mavericks' 43 points in the first half marked their highest scoring half in 5 games, and it was a key factor in their ability to hold off Oral Roberts' second-half surge. Oral Roberts, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, shooting just 36% from the field and committing 7 turnovers. Despite their poor first-half performance, Oral Roberts was able to mount a comeback in the second half, outscoring Omaha 41-37 and narrowing the deficit to 9 points by the final buzzer.

As the game wore on, it became clear that Omaha's offense was the driving force behind their win. The Mavericks shot 49% from the field, including 40% from three-point range, and were able to capitalize on Oral Roberts' mistakes, scoring 15 points off of 12 Golden Eagles turnovers. Omaha's recent form has been a major factor in their success, with the team averaging 84.4 points per game over their last 5 contests, including a 98-94 win over St. Thomas (FL) and an 84-82 win over Denver. The Mavericks' ability to score consistently has been a key factor in their 15-14 record, and it was on full display against Oral Roberts. With 14 of their 15 wins coming by a margin of 10 points or less, Omaha has shown an ability to perform under pressure, and their win over Oral Roberts was no exception.

Ja'Sean Glover's 26-point performance was the highlight of the game, but he wasn't the only Omaha player to make a significant contribution. Lance Waddles added 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Grant Stubblefield chipped in with 13 points and 6 assists. For Oral Roberts, Luke Gray and Ty Harper led the way with 20 points each, but the Golden Eagles' lack of depth was a major factor in their loss. Oral Roberts' recent trend of being outscored by an average of 11.4 points per game over their last 5 contests was a major concern coming into the game, and it ultimately made the difference. The Golden Eagles' 1-4 record over their last 5 games, including losses to South Dakota State and St. Thomas (FL), has put them in a difficult position, and their loss to Omaha has only added to their struggles.

The CHD Scout prediction of an Omaha win by 13.3 points ultimately was correct, although the actual margin of victory was slightly lower at 9 points.

The prediction was correct because Omaha's offense was able to capitalize on Oral Roberts' defensive weaknesses, particularly in the first half. The Mavericks' ability to score 43 points in the first half was a key factor in their win, and it was something that the CHD Scout prediction had accounted for. The prediction had also taken into account Omaha's recent form, including their 3-2 record over their last 5 games, and their ability to outscore opponents by an average of 0.4 points per game over that stretch. The actual margin of victory may have been slightly lower than predicted, but the outcome was never really in doubt, thanks to Omaha's strong first-half performance.

Omaha's win over Oral Roberts marks a significant milestone in their season, as they look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. With 15 wins on the year, the Mavericks are still in the hunt for a postseason berth, although their NET ranking of 251 makes it an uphill climb. The Mavericks' recent trend of averaging 84.4 points per game over their last 5 contests is a positive sign, and their ability to hold off Oral Roberts' second-half surge was a reflection of their resilience. Omaha's 3-2 record over their last 5 games, including wins over Denver and St. Thomas (FL), has put them in a good position, and their win over Oral Roberts has only added to their momentum.

The loss for Oral Roberts, on the other hand, is a significant blow to their already slim postseason hopes. With a NET ranking of 336, the Golden Eagles are unlikely to receive an at-large bid, and their 6-22 record makes it difficult to see a path forward. The Golden Eagles' 1-4 record over their last 5 games, including losses to South Dakota State and St. Thomas (FL), has put them in a difficult position, and their loss to Omaha has only added to their struggles. While the win for Omaha doesn't necessarily lock up a postseason berth, it does keep them in the conversation, and their recent form suggests that they may be peaking at the right time. With 3 wins in their last 5 games, including victories over Denver and St. Thomas (FL), Omaha is starting to build momentum, and their win over Oral Roberts is a significant step in the right direction.

In the end, Omaha's 80-71 win over Oral Roberts was a reflection of the Mavericks' ability to perform under pressure. With 14 of their 15 wins coming by a margin of 10 points or less, Omaha has shown an ability to win close games, and their victory over Oral Roberts was no exception. The Mavericks' recent trend of averaging 84.4 points per game over their last 5 contests is a positive sign, and their ability to hold off Oral Roberts' second-half surge was a reflection of their resilience. As the season enters its final stretch, Omaha want to build on their momentum and make a push for the postseason. With their win over Oral Roberts, the Mavericks have taken a significant step in the right direction, and they want to carry that momentum forward in their upcoming games.