No. 2 ORU rolled past No. 7 USD in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 Summit League Women’s Basketball Championships.
The first quarter of play was back and forth. Oral Roberts held a 16-11 lead heading into the second, with Gentry Baldwin, Taleyah Jones, Makyra Tramble, Ruthie Udoumoh, and Megan Weinrich all scoring. South Dakota’s first quarter was carried by Grace Larkins, who scored all 11 of the Yotes’ points.
Alexi Hempe ignited the USD crowd when she drained a triple to pull the Coyotes back within nine. ORU led 30-21 at the half. Jones, Udoumoh, and Weinrich combined for 26 points in the first half.
Four points from Larkins cut into the Golden Eagles’ lead early in the third, but a couple of and-one opportunities stretched the lead back to 14. ORU proceeded to go on a 17-0 run while USD suffered a seven minute and thirty-nine second scoring drought through the third quarter. ORU held a 49-25 lead going into the final frame.
USD outscored ORU 25-21 in the fourth, but it was not enough to get the job done and ORU took the game, 70-50.
The Golden Eagles were led by Summit League Sixth Woman of the Year, Jalei Oglesby with 18 points and seven rebounds. Jones added 15 points, and Weinrich tallied 13 points and 10 boards for a double-double.
ORU will play either North Dakota State or Kansas City in the semifinal round on Saturday, March 8, at approximately 2:30 p.m. in Sioux Falls.
The Coyotes were led by Summit League Player of the Year Grace Larkins’ 24 points and 13 rebounds for her double-double. Alexi Hempe added 11 points.
When asked about Larkins, Coach Eighmey had great things to say.
“You gotta play really really hard to lead the conference in points and rebounds. Unbelievable motor, extremely competitive. At the mid-major level, Grace is elite.”
USD finishes the season 11-20 overall and 5-11 in the conference.