Women’s basketball team loses season opener at TCU

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Oral Roberts University women’s basketball team fell to Texas Christian University 76-56 in their 2023-24 season opener Monday afternoon inside Schollmaier Arena.

In her Golden Eagle debut, transfer Taleyah Jones led ORU in scoring with 17 points. The sophomore also pulled down eight rebounds on the afternoon. Senior Ruthie Udoumoh followed with 10 points and six boards. Off the bench, redshirt sophomore Jalei Oglesby of Howe chipped in with eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Horned Frogs came out firing to start the first quarter as they jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead by the first media timeout. Out of the stoppage, TCU pushed its advantage to 18-4 before back-to-back buckets by Udoumoh put an end to the run. A pair of free throws by the Horned Frogs marked the final points of the quarter as they took a 20-8 lead into the second.

The Golden Eagles opened the second period on a 7-0 run as they pulled within seven at 22-15 at the 7:54 mark. TCU responded with 11 of the next 15 points to push its advantage back to 33-19. ORU whittled the lead back down to 38-27 following a Hannah Cooper lay-up in the closing seconds.

The Horned Frogs extended their advantage to 44–27 in the opening minute of the second half behind an and-one followed by a 3-point basket. The Golden Eagles were held to two points over the final 3:05 of the third as TCU stretched its lead to 61-38.

Following an Ashlyn Sage 3-pointer at the 7:05 mark, the Horned Frogs opened their largest lead of the game at 76-57 behind a 7-0 stretch.

Freshman Gentry Baldwin made an impact down the stretch in her Golden Eagle debut, netting five of the final nine points.

The Golden Eagles open their 2023-24 home slate at 11 a.m. Thursday as they host Friends at the ORU Mabee Center.