University of Oregon
4-3
Houston
6-0
Ducks’ Second Half Surge Falls Short
12/01/18 | Men's Basketball
Despite scoring 43 points in the second half, the Oregon men’s basketball team fell to Houston, 65-61, on Saturday
HOUSTON, Texas – Despite a second half surge, the Oregon men's basketball team fell to Houston, 65-61, in the inaugural game at the Fertitta Center in front of a sold out crowd on Saturday.
How It Happened: The Ducks scored 43 points in an impressive second half performance, but it was not enough to overcome a 19 point halftime deficit
Houston found their rhythm right out of the gate, taking an early 6-2 lead at the 18:20 mark after knocking down two three pointers in back-to-back possessions. Bol Bol responded to the Cougars' hot streak with a dunk at 18:00 and a three at 12:13, to make it 10-7. But after the under-12 media timeout, Houston took control for remainder of the half to send Oregon into the locker room trailing, 37-18.
During the second frame, the Ducks took whatever Dana Altman's message was at halftime and ran with it. Oregon began the half with a three by Payton Pritchard and did not allow the Cougars to score until the 16:31 mark. With 13:36 left in the game, Pritchard and Bol knocked down back-to-back threes to begin a 10-0 run for the Ducks, getting Oregon within nine, 46-37. But the Cougars seemed to remain unphased as they drove the score up to 60-46 with 2:30 remaining.
The Ducks answered back to the Cougars' offensive burst, going on a 6-0 run to cut the score to 60-52 with 1:39 left. Then, two buckets by Bol and a steal from Will Richardson got Oregon within five points, 62-57, with 36 seconds left to play. Richardson drew a foul with 23 seconds left and knocked down both his free throws to get the Ducks within three, 62-59. With 10 seconds remaining, a Bol dunk got UO within a mere two points of the Cougars, 63-61. However, Houston was solid from the free throw line down the stretch and knocked down a pair with eight seconds left to secure the victory.
Notable: The Ducks outscored Houston 43-28 in the second half … Oregon scored 15 points with 2:21 remaining … Bol and Richardson combined for a total of 39 points.
Who Stood Out: Will Richardson set a new season high with 16 points, his fourth game in a row setting a season high in scoring, while also adding seven rebounds, five assists and two steals … Bol Bol scored 23 points, his seventh game in a row scoring in double figures for the Ducks … Pritchard added eight points while Ehab Amin grabbed six rebounds.
Quotable:
Dana Altman, Head Coach
"We dug ourselves into a hole in the first half. We were able to battle back and give ourselves a chance there at the end, but obviously we were in a pretty deep hole and we can't let that happen."
Up Next: The Ducks will host Nebraska Omaha on Saturday (5 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Networks) to kick off a four game homestand.
