If Oral Roberts is going to save their season, they'll have to improve defensively.

They lost 80-74 loss at North Dakota State on Thursday.

"Our goal is to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season," head coach Scott Sutton said.

Sutton wants his team to be ready by The Summit League Tournament in early March, which appears to be the Eagles' only chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

"But right now, we're not good enough on defense to think about winning three games when it matters," Sutton said.