For the first time in 26 years, the Oral Roberts men’s basketball team has gone undefeated at home after beating North Dakota State, 74-66, Saturday evening, in front of 8,012 fans at the Mabee Center.

It was the final home game of the season for ORU and the Golden Eagles made history by going undefeated at home for the first since the Bill Self era in 1996-97. The 16th home win ties the most wins at the Mabee Center since 1990-91.

Max Abmas led ORU with 27 points as one of four Golden Eagles to record double-digits. Issac McBride scored 12, Patrick Mwamba had 11 and Carlos Jurgens added 10.

North Dakota State led once in Saturday’s game and it was on the opening possession by two. Oral Roberts then went on an 11-0 run to lead by nine, five minutes in. Seconds later, an 11-0 run by the Golden Eagles made it a 19 point game with 11:10 to go in the first. ORU led 36-30 at halftime.

Oral Roberts honored Abmas, Jurgens, Kareem Thompson, Connor Vanover and DeShang Weaver after the game; the teams five seniors. The Golden Eagles have now won 22 of their last 23. Oral Roberts improves to 25-4 on the season, its best start since 1989-90 all-time. In the Division One era, it’s the best start to a season dating back to 1971-72. ORU is 16-0 in Summit League play and is one of two (Eastern Washington) teams nationally still undefeated in conference play.

Up next for the Golden Eagles are 2 away games against South Dakota and South Dakota State, the last games before the Summit League Championship.  The South Dakota game will be an away game on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. and then at South Dakota State on Saturday, at 2 p.m.