SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Warren Niles scored 17 points and top-seeded Oral Roberts had to rally in the final 2 minutes to defeat eighth-seeded IPFW 71-67 Saturday in the opening round of the Summit League tournament.
The Golden Eagles (27-5) advance to the quarterfinals Monday against the winner of Sunday’s game between Western Illinois and North Dakota State.
Oral Roberts trailed 61-59 with 2:34 remaining before Roderick Pearson hit a jumper and a 3-pointer to start an 8-0 run. The Eagles held on despite missing 5 of 12 free throws down the stretch.
IPFW’s Frank Gaines scored 26 points, including a 3-pointer with 9 seconds left to pull the Mastadons (11-19) within 68-66. After Niles hit 1 of 2 free throws for Oral Roberts, the Eagles fouled Justin Jordan with 4 seconds remaining. Jordan hit the first to make the score 69-67, and missed the second. Gaines got the rebound but missed a follow-up shot that would have tied it.
