TULSA, OK — The Ecclesia Royals traveled to the Mabee Center on Saturday night to face the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in a challenging non-conference matchup. While the final score was a 97-52 victory for ORU, the Royals showed heart, improvement, and flashes of real offensive and defensive growth against a Division I opponent. 

From the tip, Ecclesia played with discipline and grit, matching the Golden Eagles stride for stride in effort and energy. Early runs and key plays from the Royals kept them competitive through the first stretch of the game. The team attacked the rim, made their free throws, and never backed down from a physical, fast-paced environment against a Summit League foe. 

Standout Performances Highlight the Effort

• Christian Ford led the Royals with 11 points on efficient shooting, showing poise and confidence in his offensive role.  
• Amarion Hoggan had a strong night from the free throw line, hitting 8-of-10 attempts and finishing with 10 points — a sign of focus and composure under pressure.  
• Brock Wesley and Nate Hauglie both gave valuable minutes, contributing hustle, defensive plays, and timely baskets that kept the Royals in the flow of the game.  

The bench also contributed key energy, with players like Paul Jones and Jadorian Jones sparking momentum with scrappy rebounds and defensive effort. 

Positive Takeaways to Build On

Although the scoreboard tilted in favor of Oral Roberts — a strong Division I program — a few encouraging trends stood out for Ecclesia:

Free Throw Strength – The Royals shot a solid percentage from the charity stripe, converting opportunities and showing maturity late in possessions. 

Ball Movement & Fight – Ecclesia moved the basketball and competed on the boards despite the size and athleticism advantage of their opponent. 

Growth Mindset – Against a high-caliber lineup, the Royals stayed engaged for all 40 minutes, never allowing frustration to replace effort — a hallmark of teams that grow together. 

Looking Ahead

This experience on the road against a Summit League opponent gives the Royals a benchmark to measure growth from here into conference play. The effort — especially in key stretches where the Royals hung close — shows that Ecclesia's young core is learning to compete with intensity on every possession. With continued development and focus on execution, this group has plenty of reasons to be encouraged as the season builds. 

Next up, the Royals will look to channel this experience into a confident performance at home, where their crowd and support can help fuel the team's rise. Stay tuned — the best of Ecclesia basketball is still on the horizon.