ORU's Kevi Luper on the verge of NCAA first

Kevi Luper, a sophomore guard and 2010 all-American for the Oral Roberts women’s basketball team is currently on the verge of an accomplishment that has never been witnessed in the history of division I women’s basketball.  As of February 21, Luper is tied with Dawn Evans of James Madison for first place in the NCAA with 23.9 points per game. Luper also stands in first place nationally with 3.8 steals per game.

Since the NCAA began tracking steals in 1988, no player has finished first in both categories for a single-season.

More than just a one-year fluke, the Adair, Oklahoma native led the nation in steals as only a freshman last year, finishing 2009-10 with a 4.5 steals per game average, while placing sixth nationally with 24.4 points per game.

At the conclusion of her rookie campaign, Luper ranked second among freshman in NCAA Division I history in total steals in a season (134) and fourth in total points (757).

For her efforts, Luper was named 2009-10 AP All-American Honorable Mention, Full Court Press All-Freshman Second Team and Summit League Player of the Year.

Picking right up where she left off, Luper is once again among the nation’s elite both offensively and defensively. She is the focal point of a Golden Eagle squad that is the NCAA’s second highest scoring team at 84.2 points per game and currently ranks first with a 15.0 steals per game average.

Standing at 18-9 overall and 14-2 in conference, ORU recently clinched their second-consecutive Summit League regular season title and a number one seed in the postseason tournament.

The Golden Eagles resume action this Saturday, as they host Western Illinois at 2:05 p.m. in the Mabee Center on the campus of Oral Roberts University.

Photos: Courtesy of ORU Media Relations