It’s January at ORU, and class is back in session.

Grab your reading glasses, Red Bull and another loan just to afford books, because it is time for spring semester!

And while the Tulsa weather is more bipolar than Lady Gaga’s hair, the Golden Eagles women’s basketball team is heating up and plans to keep it that way.

So while your mind takes a break from contemplating the etenal importance of your humanities lecture, check out this Golden Eagles women’s basketball mid-season report.

The Golden Eagles started out the season as hot as your 80-year-old professor’s classroom, winning their first five regular season games.

The streak ended, though, with a loss to Missouri State at home and a road loss at Tulsa.

Overall, the Golden Eagles finished November 5-2, but the month of December would be no easier.

The Golden Eagles got into the spirit of Christmas giving early by giving a spanking to Southern Utah at home, scoring a season-high 109 points.

Unfortunately, a week later the Golden Eagles found themselves scoring a season low, losing at Arkansas, 37-65.

December continued like a tennis volley of wins and losses, winning only two of their next five games. Overall the Golden Eagles ended the calendar year losing six of their last nine games, and were sitting on an icy 8-6 record.

When asked about this season’s struggles, All-American shooting guard Kevi Luper looked at the losses as a positive motivator for the team.

“Nobody likes rough patches,” Luper said. “But as long as you learn and grow from it, there’s a bright side to them.”

Although tied for second place in the Summit League conference, the Golden Eagles knew they would have to pick up the pace if they planned on winning the league and carrying momentum into post-season play.

And the team has done just that.

Four games into the 2012 calendar year and the Golden Eagles have already picked up three conference wins.

The Golden Eagles celebrated New Year’s right by beating the conference-leading South Dakota State Jackrabbits 71-65 at home.

The bullied bunny beat-down was followed up by wins against North Dakota State and Western Illinois.

The Golden Eagles are currently second in the Summit League and hold a season record of 11-7.

While the team is averaging 10 points less per game, defensive play has stepped up only allowing opponents 68.4 points per game, seven less than last year.

Kevi “Swiper the Fox” Luper is again listed by ESPN among the top five in the nation in steals per game and ranks sixth in the nation in points, averaging 23.1 per game.

Looking ahead, the Golden Eagles hope to keep momentum, playing four straight home games to finish January.

The home stand is followed by the team playing five of their last seven regular season games on the road, making the home games must-wins.

“Fans coming out to the games is so important,” said point guard Jaci Bigham. “It fuels the team and encourages us to play our hardest!”

The Golden Eagles will continue conference play at home Saturday, Jan. 21, at 2:05 p.m. in the Mabee Center, where they’ll take on the Oakland Grizzlies.

Upcoming Women’s Home Games:

• Saturday, Jan. 21 vs.

Oakland (2:05 p.m.)

• Monday, Jan. 23 vs.

IPFW (7:05 p.m.)

• Saturday, Jan. 28 vs.

UMKC (2:05 p.m.)

Sports - Women's basketball