FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Warren Niles scored 24 points, helping Oral Roberts clinch sole possession of the regular-season Summit League title with a 75-71 victory over IPFW on Wednesday night.
Michael Craion added 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting and blocked a shot in the final seconds for the Golden Eagles (24-5, 16-1), who have won 17 of their past 18 games.
The Mastodons (10-16, 4-12) lost their sixth straight despite Frank Gaines’ 28 points and eight rebounds.
Oral Roberts trailed by as many as nine in the second half, but the Golden Eagles fought back and led 70-66 after a Craion basket with 31 seconds left. The teams traded free throws before Gaines hit a 3-pointer to pull IPFW within 72-71 with 15 seconds to play.
Niles then missed one of two foul shots before Antwaun Boyd’s shot was blocked by Craion. Two Steven Roundtree free throws sealed the win for ORU.
