University of Oregon
11-2
Western Oregon
9-1
Dorsey Shines as Ducks Handle Wolves
12/30/15 | Men's Basketball
EUGENE – The Oregon men's basketball team finished off its non-conference slate on Tuesday, defeating Western Oregon 88-60 before 6,137 at Matthew Knight Arena. Freshman Tyler Dorsey led the way for the Ducks, tallying a career-high 25 points.
How It Happened: Oregon (11-2) wasted no time grabbing control, rattling off a 14-2 run to open the game, led by a quick seven points from Tyler Dorsey in the opening minutes. The Ducks hit seven of their first eight shots, while forcing misses on six of Western Oregon's first eight attempts.
The Ducks scored 11 unanswered to build a 32-13 advantage with 8:56 left in the first half. Refusing to be tamed, the Wolves outscored Oregon 23-8 through the remainder of the period, cutting the Duck lead to as few as three. Oregon would hold on to lead 40-36 at the break.
After Western Oregon scored the first four points of the second half to tie the game at 40, Oregon rattled off a 20-5 run led by 11 points from Elgin Cook, to regain the lead. The Ducks never looked back, inflating their lead to as large as 31 and ending the game on a 20-5 run. Oregon outscored the Wolves 48-24 in the second half to pick up its 11th win of the season.
Who Stood Out: Tyler Dorsey notched career highs of 25 points (6-of-9 shooting) and eight rebounds, while tying his career-high in assists with five to lead the Ducks. Elgin Cook, a big contributor in the run that would put Oregon ahead for good, scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half. Jordan Bell tallied new season highs in rebounds (9) and blocks (5).
Quotable:
Dana Altman - Head Coach, UO
On if he thinks his team is ready for Pac-12 play…
“I really don't know. Usually this time your veterans are settled in, but with Dylan not being settled in it's harder. I think Elgin (Cook) and the other guys who have been here a little longer are more prepared because they've done it before. It's going to be a work in progress. We will get ready this next three or four days and give it our best shot.”
On how Dylan Ennis's return to the court…
“It's just going to take time. He's been out for eight weeks now and you don't just turn it off and on like a light switch. His leadership quality, defensively, all those things he can give us will be great to have back. We had a ten minute restriction on him tonight and we will slowly build that up but you can't rush him back.”
Notable: Senior transfer Dylan Ennis made his debut as a Duck, checking in at the 14:46 mark of the first half and clocking 10 minutes … With Ennis's return, the Ducks had all 11 scholarship players available for the first time this season … Jordan Bell is the second Duck to reach 100 career blocked shots. With five tonight he's currently at 104, 12 shy of the school record … Oregon shot 16-of-26 (62 percent) in the second half while holding the Wolves to 9-of-38 (24 percent) shooting in the final period
Up Next: Oregon will open Pac-12 play this Sunday at Oregon State (4 p.m., FoxSports1).
