Montana State

[Keenan Henderson]

This feels like a big game because ORU is starting to look like last year's team.  Can Coach make some in season adjustments and get this ship back on course?  How do the guys handle hard times/tough situations.  It is early and I am not ready to say it is a must win situation but a win would be huge.  

Montana State on paper looks somewhat like the Eagles in that they are mostly led by guards/wings who like to shoot the 3.  They are ok at rebounding/frontcourt size but nothing that really stands out.  They have lost quite a few close games (1-4) or their record would be much be better.  They lost at home to Denver but beat St. Thomas at home.  So, they have been up and down this year.

[Bogus Smith]

A lot could be dependent on whether Ofri is out of concussion protocol.  We are a different team with him available.

[theeagleman5]

ORU can win this game if Ofri is on the court...if not this will probably not go our way......the visitors are -5.5.......Montana St. 85  ORU 77.....

[Old Titan]

Last decent chance for a D1 win before conference play starts.

Gotta find a way at home vs. a middling opponent…

[TrueBlue82]

1 hour ago, Old Titan said:

Last decent chance for a D1 win before conference play starts.

Gotta find a way at home vs. a middling opponent…

No shade to Texas-Arlington, but I'd say the matchup with the Mavericks presents an equal or better winning opportunity. Nonetheless, tonight is a good opportunity to right the ship. 

[Otis 83]

Who took the under?

[Otis 83]

12-0 run to start the second half!

[2014Grad]

4 hours ago, TrueBlue82 said:

No shade to Texas-Arlington, but I'd say the matchup with the Mavericks presents an equal or better winning opportunity. Nonetheless, tonight is a good opportunity to right the ship. 

Missouri State only has 1 D1 win (against UTRGV), lost to UT Arlington by 18 and Tulsa by 24. We may honestly be favored against them after this comeback win!

[Dr. Cornelius]

Great win. Didn’t fold after the performance in the first half.

[theeagleman5]

Comeback kids from 20 down!! TheEagleman is a believer...

[Otis 83]

1 minute ago, theeagleman5 said:

Comeback kids from 20 down!! TheEagleman is a believer...

  It took the Golden Eagles just a little over 9 minutes to methodically erase the 20 point deficit.  Better play in all phases of the game along with, what appeared to me, improved energy and effort.  Ofri Naveh is my player of the game with 25 points and 7 rebounds.  Dow with a key block on a 3 in the waning minutes.  A lot to feel good about tonight...other than the first half 

[Otis 83]

If you have access to it, watch the post game interview with Coach Barnett.  First of all, you will love the enthusiasm, energy and confidence.  Secondly, he changed the locker room code to 5817 because we were outscored 58-17 in the paint against Weber State.  Love that!

[eagle88]

It was truly an amazing 2nd half comeback! Congratulations to the  guys for not giving up and finding a way to win. It’s almost like HCKB and the players have been reading the message board and got hacked off and made some adjustments. Hopefully we build some momentum off this timely win! Good job tonight guys!!

[jmg1984]

Great team defense!

[Keenan Henderson]

I wonder if ORU has ever come back from down 20 at half time?  Maybe a record for the Mabee Center.  They made free throws down the stretch and held on for a close win.  Huge win and Coach said Cal Funish was a huge part of it as he held Montanta State's best scorer in check during the 2nd half.

I liked how CB changed the starting lineup and was willing to try something new after the last 2 blowout losses.  Good to see the young coach willing to make those adjustments.   Maybe this is a springboard that can help the Eagles continue to improve as they head to conference play.

[eagle88]

St Thomas lost to Montana State this year and the Tommies are in the top tier of the Summit. If we can continue to improve perhaps we could be in the hunt in or conference. 

[Keenan Henderson]

Y2 Williams had a huge rebound and put back at the end and then grabbed another rebound on the defensive in the final 2 minutes.  Those big plays really sealed the deal.  He did not have his best game but when it mattered the big guy came through.

 

[Dave Connor]

Due to my wife's condition, we can no longer attend the home games, so we watch them on TV. I almost turned off the TV at halftime, but decided to keep it running in the background. I'm sooooo glad I did. After I got Carol in bed, I rewound to the start of the second half.. and it made my week. These guys can be really good. I hope that for the rest of the season they maintain the grit that they demonstrated in the second half. I liked HCKB's statement in the post-game interview when Connor Clark pointed out that we only had 16 3-pt attempts, but we have been averaging about 30 per game. He said something like: If the 3's aren't falling, we'll find another way to win. He also emphasized how important their defensive effort was in this win.