Nzekwesi powers Oral Roberts past Western Illinois, 81-66

TULSA, Okla. -- Emmanuel Nzekwesi scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Oral Roberts won its third straight Summit League contest, turning away Western Illinois 81-66 on Saturday night.

The Golden Eagles, already off to their best start in league play in the last five seasons, knocked off Western Illinois for the ninth time in the last 12 meetings.

Oral Roberts (7-11, 3-0) hit 30 of 66 from the floor (45.5 percent), including 6 of 15 from beyond the arc, and got its cushion by going 15 of 16 from the free-throw line.

Nzekwesi, the Summit League Player of the Week, hit 8 of 18 from the field, including 1 of 3 from distance, and made 4 of 4 free throws. R.J. Fuqua was 6 for 6 from the line and finished with 18 points.

Dalan Ancrum scored 25 points to lead the Leathernecks (8-6, 0-2).