North Dakota defeats Oral Roberts 72-61

Oral Roberts Falls Short at Home, North Dakota Takes Down Visiting Oral Roberts 72-61

In a closely contested conference matchup, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks (H) took down visiting Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (A) 72-61 on January 1st at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams displaying resilience and determination. However, it was the home team that ultimately emerged victorious, showcasing their home-court advantage in front of their energetic fans.

At halftime, North Dakota led by a margin of 17 points, 37-20. The Golden Eagles struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 41% from the field, while the Fighting Hawks shot an impressive 40%. However, Oral Roberts refused to give up, and they began to mount a comeback in the second half.

Despite trailing by 19 with less than two minutes remaining, Oral Roberts staged a late surge, cutting the deficit to just five points. However, North Dakota's defense held strong, limiting their opponents to just one field goal over the final minute of play.

Top Performer: Tyler Varga

North Dakota's Tyler Varga led all scorers with 16 points, including 4 three-pointers. The senior guard was instrumental in getting his team out of a slump and into a lead, showcasing his clutch shooting ability.

Game Flow

The game ebbed and flowed throughout the 40 minutes, with both teams trading baskets and scoring opportunities. However, it was North Dakota's ability to defend and limit Oral Roberts' second-chance points that ultimately proved decisive.

Advanced Team Statistics

North Dakota's balanced attack led the way in terms of advanced statistics. The Fighting Hawks shot an impressive 64.2% from the free throw line, while also limiting their opponents to just 33.9%. Additionally, North Dakota outrebounded Oral Roberts by 11 boards, with Tyler Varga grabbing 5 rebounds.

Oral Roberts' struggles on the glass were a major factor in their defeat. The Golden Eagles shot just 28.1% from the offensive glass, while North Dakota capitalized on their opponents' mistakes to secure crucial baskets.

Game Summary

* Final Score: North Dakota (H) 72 - Oral Roberts (A) 61

* Date: January 1st, 2026

* Location: Betty Engelstad Sioux Center

* Attendance:

* Conference Game: Yes