University of Richmond
Oral Roberts
Cline's Double-Double Not Enough At Oral Roberts
12/23/2016 | Men's Basketball
TULSA, Okla. – Richmond's T.J. Cline scored 25 points and had a career-high 14 rebounds, but Oral Roberts (4-10) won a 87-72 decision over Richmond (6-6) in Oklahoma on Friday afternoon.
Cline was one of four Spiders in double figures, as he tallied his second-straight double-double and fifth 20-point game of the season. Cline also dished six assists and grabbed three steals.
Richmond's ShawnDre' Jones scored 11 points, while Khwan Fore and De'Monte Buckingham each tallied 10 points. Nick Sherod scored nine points.
The Spiders were even in rebounds and dished 18 assists, but Oral Roberts edged the Spiders from long range and Richmond's attempts to foul and extend the game allowed a one-possession game to go in the final minutes.
The Spiders scored 38 points in the paint and shot over 58 percent on two-point field goals.
Jalen Bradley (22) and Albert Owens (19) led the scoring effort for the home Golden Eagles.
After Oral Roberts jumped out to an early lead, the Spiders went on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 16-16 after a jumper from Sherod. The margin stayed within possession for each team as the squads were able to answer each push with aggressive play and trips to the free throw line. A three-pointer from Joe Kirby at the end of the first half made the margin 42-41 at the break.
Oral Roberts used strong play from Owens to open up a 64-56 lead at the 8:50 mark of the second half, but Richmond used an 8-2 run to cut the score to 66-64 after free throws from Cline and a sweet dish from Cline to Fore.
A three-point play from ORU with 2:53 left pushed ORU's lead from four to seven and the Spiders weren't able to overcome the Golden Eagles in the final minute.
Richmond breaks for the holidays and then travels to Davidson on Dec. 31 for the Atlantic 10 opener.
