TULSA, Okla. – The University of North Dakota had five student-athletes reach double figures at Oral Roberts and shot 45-percent from the field; however, Oral Roberts registered 34 field goals, including 11 behind the arc, while shooting 57-percent to defeat the Fighting Hawks, 88-73.
 
 Kienan Walter finished 19 points to lead the Fighting Hawks while Marlon Stewart recorded 18 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. UND was -1 on the glass and scored 24 points in the paint while shooting 8-of-24 behind the three-point line.
 
 "We came in really locked in and worried about rebounding because these guys have shown that they're such a good rebounding team, especially on the offensive side, and we only gave up five," said Head Coach Paul Sather. "There were a lot of good things we did throughout the game. 
 
 "But in the first 20 minutes, we had opportunities. We can't go 1-of-7 to open the game at the free-throw line because it was only a one-possession game when that stuff was going on. We had some open looks fall around the rim, but we were struggling to score there a little bit," Sather closed.
 
 Both North Dakota and Oral Roberts traded runs in the first half of play, resulting in four ties and three score changes. Despite trailing by as much as seven points in the game, the Fighting Hawks were the offensive aggressor as they drove to the paint and drew seven fouls. However, UND was unable to take advantage at the line as it shot 3-of-9 in the opening 20 minutes.
 
 The University of North Dakota shot an impressive 13-of-27 (.481) from the field, competing in the paint with the Golden Eagles bigs as the two teams combined for 30 points in the paint. ORU was 16-of-32 in the first half. Walter led North Dakota with 12 points in the half and was supported by De'Sean Allen-Eikens, who scored 10 points while Stewart distributed five assists. 
 
 Walter's final basket of the frame lifted UND within three points as he flashed across the lane and hit a turnaround jumper with only seconds remaining on the shot clock and only 15.9 seconds remaining on the game clock.
 
 The Fighting Hawks aggressive style continued in the half as it managed to foul out two of the Golden Eagles post players. The method of play allowed North Dakota to cut a 17-point Oral Roberts lead to eight points as the Hawks hit 12 of their last 13 free throw shots, including six from Stewart.
 
 North Dakota will return to action Wednesday, Jan. 15, when it heads to South Dakota State for a 7 p.m., matchup with the  Jackrabbits.