TULSA, Okla. – Down by 23 points with just under 16 minutes to go, Missouri State used a young rotation that never left the floor down the stretch and eventually took the lead with 94 seconds to go. But home-standing Oral Roberts narrowly beat the shot clock on a game-winning dunk with 19 seconds remaining to steal an 80-77 victory here Friday.
Jonathan Mogbo led the Bears with a career-high 14 points. His two free throws with 49 seconds remaining got the Bears back within 78-77 before the Golden Eagles ran a give-and-go play to 7-foot-5 Connor Vanover for the dunk as the shot clock expired. Damien Mayo Jr.’s desperation three for MSU from the left wing as time expired was on-line but came up just short in the final moments of an otherwise uplifting stretch for the MoState.
In addition to Mogbo’s effort down the stretch, Dalen Ridgnal (13) and Raphe Ayres (10) also tallied career highs for the Bears as part of their second-half resurgence. James Graham and Damien Mayo Jr. each added 9 points as part of the “youth movement” MSU used over the last 16 minutes.
“I was happy to see the guys who got their opportunity tonight have a good game,” said head coach Dana Ford. “I’m proud of them for being ready for their opportunity, and they really gave us a spark.”
Mayo’s layup with 94 seconds to play broke a 73-73 tie and gave the Bears their only lead of the night. ORU (9-3) responded with a 5-0 run on a layup from Kareem Thompson and a traditional three-point play from Patrick Mwamba at the one-minute mark that gave the home side a three-point lead heading down the stretch.
Mogbo’s two free throws at the 49-second mark trimmed the deficit to one, but MSU couldn’t close out what would have tied a school record for the largest deficit overcome for victory.
Missouri State (4-7) had its best offensive effort since opening night, converting 28-of-52 field goal attempts for 53.8 percent, while matching a season-high with 12 triples, including three apiece by James Graham and Ridgnal.
In the first half, ORU made 8 of its first 9 shots and ended the stanza at 69 percent from the field with three players in double figures while capitalizing on a chilling foul discrepancy to lead 45-32 at the midway point.
Chance Moore’s 8 points in the first half led Missouri State as he was one of seven Bears to hit a 3-pointer on the night and joined Graham and Ridgnal with multiple treys.
MSU outscored the home side by a 45-35 margin in the second half with the Bears racking up a season-high 55 bench points to ORU’s 8. Missouri State also owned a 30-26 rebounding advantage, allowing just 8 second-chance points.
The Golden Eagles finished 29-of-52 (.558) from the field, 6-of-18 (.333) from distance and 16-of-25 (.640) at the stripe with MSU whistled for 20 fouls.
The Bears will return to Great Southern Bank Arena on Sunday to host Central Michigan at 5 p.m., as part of a two-game home stand before the holiday break.
