ORU Clinch Conference Championship, NCAA Bid For First Time In 13 Years

The Golden Eagles are headed home with a conference championship and then headed to the big dance - both for the first time since 2008.

After leading by as much as 25 Tuesday night, ORU fought off a comeback from North Dakota State to win the Summit Conference Tournament, 75-72.

In the final seconds, the Golden Eagles up by one and Francis Lacias has the block of his career, giving ORU the ball back with a pair of free throws.

D'Mauria Jones seals the deal for ORU, hitting two free throws to put the team up by three.

ORU shot 41.9% from the field and 31% beyond the arc. Max Abmas tops the point column for the Golden Eagles with 23 and seven assists and Kevin Obanor had 21 points and 17 rebounds.

The Bison shot 39% from the field and 43% from three, led by Rocky Kreuser with 34 points.