Some years when I go to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the Summit League Basketball Tournament, it’s snowing with temperatures in the teens, and some years, the weather is a bit more tolerable. This year, it was cold, but not too terrible. That also describes how the Oral Roberts University men’s basketball team played.

The No. 5-seed Golden Eagles got off to a great start in the quarterfinal game against No. 4 North Dakota State. ORU started the game by knocking down 10 straight baskets from the field and quickly opened up a 13-point lead less than seven minutes into the game.

The Golden Eagles led by five, 48-43, at halftime, and shot a respectable 66-percent from the field in the first half.

However, ORU was frigid at the start the second half and never got hot again. ORU went 0-for-17 from the field before finally getting a shot to fall; a put-back on a rebound by Kevin Obanor with 6:57 to play. That’s 13 minutes without making a field goal. The Golden Eagles shot just 20 percent in the second half.

“We were the youngest team in this league by a wide margin in regards to minutes continuity,” said ORU head coach Paul Mills after the game. “It was good for us to be in this kind of experience. We are obviously disappointed in the outcome but I am proud of the guys in the locker room.”

Obanor, the league’s Freshman of the Year, had a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds, going 12-15 from the free throw line. Sam Kearns also reached double figures for ORU with 16 points, in his final game as a Golden Eagle.

ORU ended the season with a record of 11-21 overall, 7-9 in Summit League play.

ORU WOMEN WIN AND LOSE

The ORU women faired a bit better in their first game in the Summit League Tournament, as the No. 4 Golden Eagles beat No. 5 Western Illinois, 68-64.

Lakota Beatty tied the overall Summit League Tournament record with seven three-pointers, and led ORU with 25 points.

The ORU women were eliminated from the tournament in the semifinal round after falling to No. 1 South Dakota State, 86-55.

Cold shooting affected the ORU women as it had the men, the day before. South Dakota State came out of the locker room fired up. ORU went on scoring drought for more than four minutes, while the Jackrabbits went on a 9-0 run and quickly jumped out to a 23-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, ORU was scoreless for more than five minutes before Sarah Garvie hit a three-pointer to break South Dakota State’s 15-0 run.

The ORU women finished the season with an 18-13 overall record, 10-6 in the Summit League.

NOTES FROM THE ROAD

It’s always fun to play with the ORU Pep Band at the Summit League Tournament, as the fans seem to be really receptive and appreciative of our music. One of the songs that seemed to get the loudest reaction was a classic country tune by Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire. It’s one the Pep Band just added to our repertoire last year, but it certainly isn’t a current hit.

We are usually housed at a hotel right next to the Empire Mall, which is a great location. Within walking distance from our hotel are several restaurants, a couple department stores, a book store and, of course, the mall, with all its offerings.

We didn’t have much down time, as we arrived Saturday evening, played two games on Sunday, and another game on Monday, before heading back to Tulsa on Tuesday. I did, however, get to walk around the mall and the bookstore, and enjoyed a good meal at a few of the area chain restaurants. The only disappointing thing is, I usually like to try the mom-and-pop local restaurants when I travel, but wasn’t able to find any close to the hotel.

This year, we didn’t have a full band, as is the case when so many of our members have to work or can’t miss classes. However, over the years, we’ve been fortunate to get to know some quality musicians in the Sioux Falls area, who are always happy to join us and cheer on the Golden Eagles. This year, we picked up three local trombone players and one trumpet player. All but one of the guys had played with us in the past and it was great to see them again.

A family member asked me about why I do this each year, and the answer is, it’s fun. I love playing with the ORU Pep Band, it’s my alma mater, and I love to travel. My motto is; “Have trumpet, will travel.”