Owens has 23 points to lead ORU past NAIA Avila 86-72

Nov 11, 2017, 04:24 am

TULSA, Okla. -- Albert Owens scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had two blocks to help lead Oral Roberts to an 86-72 win over NAIA Avila on Friday night.

Oral Roberts opened the season by giving first-year coach Paul Mills a victory in his first game with the Golden Eagles.

ORU jumped out to an 8-0 lead, was up 22-9 midway of the first half and took a 45-30 lead into the locker room. They kept Avila at bay in the second half.

Avila hit 10 of 24 from beyond the arc but ORU made 35 of 75 from the floor while Avila hit just 26 of 60. The Golden Eagles also outrebounded Avila 51-34.

Austin Ruder had 15 points and seven rebounds, Emmanuel Nzekwesi and R.J. Fuqua added 10 points each and Javan White had nine points and 12 rebounds for ORU.

Tevin Taylor had 15 points and Josh Benford 14 for Avila.