Oral Roberts opened the game on a 4-0 run as both teams traded early turnovers. Denver was held scoreless for the first two and a half minutes before a layup from Watts ended the drought. The Pioneers continued to struggle offensively, committing six first-quarter turnovers as the Golden Eagles extended their lead to 19-6. Denver trailed 28-11 at the end of the opening period.
The offensive woes continued into the second quarter. Denver went scoreless for the first two minutes while Oral Roberts used a 6-0 spurt to build its advantage. A layup by Padilla snapped the drought, but the Golden Eagles maintained control. Denver went nearly two minutes without a point to close the half and entered the break trailing 44-25.
The Pioneers opened the third quarter with back-to-back layups, but Oral Roberts answered to push the margin to 51-31. After the Golden Eagles endured a scoreless stretch of more than two minutes, Watts scored on consecutive possessions to provide a spark. However, Denver hit another offensive lull of more than two minutes and trailed 57-37 entering the final quarter.
Back-and-forth baskets marked the start of the fourth before McLeod knocked down a 3-pointer at the eight-minute mark. Denver continued to battle but was unable to chip away at the deficit. Oral Roberts extended its lead to 70-49 with just under four minutes remaining and Denver fell, 76-55.
UP NEXT:
Denver travels to Kansas City to take on the Roos at 6 p.m. MT on Feb. 18.
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