In a closely contested matchup, Oral Roberts edged South Dakota by a margin of 5 points, ultimately prevailing 67-62. The Golden Eagles, ranked 335th nationally in NET, outlasted the Coyotes, who held the 284th spot. The score was tied at halftime, but Oral Roberts pulled ahead in the second half to secure the victory. The first half saw the Golden Eagles take a 35-31 lead, while the second half was a seesaw affair, with both teams trading baskets in a 32-31 margin.
The game was defined by a singular performance from Oral Roberts, which left a lasting impact on the outcome. The Golden Eagles' senior guard, Francisco Santos, put forth an extraordinary effort, posting a stat line of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. This outing eclipsed his season averages of 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, underscoring the exceptional nature of his play.
Ty Harper's 29 points were the driving force behind Oral Roberts' victory, as he shot an efficient 12-12 from the free throw line and 8-22 overall from the field. His ability to adapt and find scoring opportunities was crucial, as he made up for his struggles from beyond the arc, where he went 1-7. Harper's performance was a testament to his well-rounded skillset and ability to take over games when necessary.
Ofri Naveh and Connor Dow provided solid support for Harper, but neither was able to match his level of production. Naveh contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds, showcasing his versatility as a big man who can score and rebound. Dow, meanwhile, chipped in 8 points and 4 rebounds, but struggled from beyond the arc, going 1-4 from three-point range. Despite their efforts, it was Harper who stood out as the clear leader for the Golden Eagles.
Cameron Fens led South Dakota with a 25-point performance, accompanied by 13 rebounds and 3 assists. His efficiency at the free throw line was a bright spot, converting 9 of 12 attempts. However, his 8-17 mark from the field, while respectable, ultimately fell short of what was needed to propel his team to victory.
Uzziah Buntyn was limited to a relatively quiet outing, notching 14 points on 6-9 shooting from the field, but failing to contribute in other areas. His 1 rebound and 0 assists were notable deficiencies, and he struggled from beyond the arc, making just 1 of 4 three-point attempts. Jordan Crawford's 9-point effort was marked by inefficiency, as he shot just 3-13 from the field and 1-7 from three-point range. His 2-6 mark at the free throw line did not help his team's cause.
The remainder of the roster for both teams largely conformed to their season averages, with no notable outliers.
CHD Scout Report Card
INCORRECTPredicted
Final
The pre-game prediction of a South Dakota victory by 1.2 points fell short, as Oral Roberts emerged with a 5-point win. The disparity between the predicted and actual outcome was largely driven by the Golden Eagles' ability to contain the Coyotes' offense, particularly in the paint. Oral Roberts' strong defensive rebounding effort, which saw them secure 28.6% of available boards, significantly limited South Dakota's second-chance opportunities and stifled their offense.
The Golden Eagles' shooting woes also played a pivotal role in the outcome, as they struggled to find their rhythm from both inside and outside the arc. Oral Roberts' effective field goal percentage of 41.5% was well below their season average of 48.1%, indicating a subpar shooting performance that was exacerbated by a poor 3-point shooting night. The Coyotes, on the other hand, maintained a respectable effective field goal percentage of 44.3%, but ultimately were not able to overcome the Golden Eagles' defensive resilience and their own shooting struggles.
The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For Oral Roberts, this Quad 4 win does little to improve its overall NET ranking, but it does provide a much-needed victory in a season that has otherwise been marred by struggles. Given its 0-7 Quad 1 and Quad 2 record, Oral Roberts is likely to be a 15-seed in the tournament, if it receives an at-large bid at all. South Dakota, on the other hand, sees its NCAA Tournament hopes take a significant hit with this loss, which will likely drop its NET ranking further. The Coyotes now find themselves with a 0-6 Quad 1 and Quad 2 record, making it increasingly difficult for them to secure a 15-seed at-large bid. In the end, this loss may prove to be a crushing blow to South Dakota's postseason aspirations.