University of Oregon
19-8, 9-5
Colorado
12-13, 5-8
Ducks Hold Serve, Hold Off Colorado
02/19/15 | Men's Basketball
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
EUGENE, Ore. — Up 20 early in the second half, the Oregon men's basketball team allowed Colorado to claw its way back within five before the Ducks held on to win 73-60 on Wednesday in Matthew Knight Arena, keeping the UO men solidly on the NCAA Tournament bubble entering a monumental matchup with No. 9 Utah on Sunday.
How It Happened: But for a sloppy few minutes to start the game, with Colorado capitalizing for an 11-4 lead, Oregon controlled the first half. The Ducks (19-8, 9-5 Pac-12) shot .586 for the half and limited the Buffs to 4-of-23 shooting after the first four minutes, as Oregon built a 39-22 halftime lead.
Joseph Young's three-pointer on the Ducks' second possession after halftime made it 42-22, and Oregon seemed to have the game in hand. But Colorado (12-13, 5-8) used a 16-6 run to get within 55-48, and a three-pointer by Xavier Johnson made it 63-58 with four minutes left. The next possession was crucial, as the Ducks used a couple offensive rebounds to set up a Dillon Brooks three-pointer. That made it 66-58, and the Ducks outscored the Buffaloes 7-0 in the final two minutes to clinch it.
Who Stood Out: A day after promising the Ducks would make the Tournament field, Young backed up his words with a game-high 23 points. Dwayne Benjamin tallied his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 13 rebounds, Brooks scored 14 and grabbed a career-high three steals, and Elgin Cook added 13 points.
What It Means: UCLA's loss to Arizona State earlier in the night was a hit to Oregon's NCAA resume, but it also gave the Ducks a chance to take sole possession of third place in the Pac-12, helping Oregon's odds of a first-round bye in the conference tournament.
Quotable:
Dwayne Benjamin, junior wing
On the Ducks' defense
"We were better today than we were the last game, and that's why we got the win. We just want to improve (again tomorrow) in practice."
Elgin Cook, junior forward
On the rebounds to set up Brooks' three-pointer
"That was a real big play. We just wanted to stay in the fight. We knew they were going to crash the boards. They've got a lot of big guys. We just wanted to stand and fight. We came up with one and it was a big play, a big shot by Dillon."
Dana Altman, UO coach
On Sunday's game against Utah
"Our guys are excited. We know we've got some deficiencies we've got to take care of. We know Utah's a talented team. But they're excited about the opportunity. We should be ready to play."
Odds and Ends: A moment of silence was held prior to tipoff to remember Lauren Jones, the UO acrobatics and tumbling student-athlete who passed away unexpectedly Tuesday. ... Jordan Bell returned to the starting lineup after playing off the bench last week in Los Angeles. ... Bell's two first-half blocked shots gave him 74 for the season, second all-time among Pac-12 freshmen behind UCLA's Jelani McCoy (1995-96). Bell passed Stanford's Robin Lopez (72, 2006-07) for second. . ... Oregon's Ahmaad Rorie and Colorado's Tre'Shaun Fletcher were prep teammates at Lincoln High in Tacoma, Wash. UO walk-on Charlie Noebel played at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif., with Colorado's Johnson and Eli Stalzer.
Up Next: The Ducks play their final regular-season home game, Sunday against No. 9 Utah in Matthew Knight Arena (noon, FOX Sports 1). Tickets are available for $15, the UO football team will be honored at halftime for its run to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, and the Pac-12 and Rose Bowl championship and Heisman trophies will be on display and available for photos on the arena's practice courts.
Click here to purchase specially priced tickets for Sunday's showdown with the Utes.
