University of Oregon
1-0,0-0Big Ten
Hawaii
0-1,0-0Big West
Ducks Pick Up One Point Win in Opener
11/04/25 | Men's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. — Takai Simpkins scored 18 points, including the game-winning layup with four seconds remaining, as Oregon edged Hawaii 60-59 on Tuesday night at Matthew Knight Arena to open the 2025-26 men's basketball season.
The Ducks (1-0) shot just 36 percent from the field and 13 percent from 3-point range, turning the ball over 21 times.
"Didn't shoot it well from three — obviously two for 16 — didn't shoot it well from the free-throw line, 60 percent," head coach Dana Altman said. "But the 21 turnovers, you know, we just didn't give ourselves opportunities. And it started right from the start. We had 12 or 13 turnovers in the first half, and they doubled Nate (Bittle). We knew the double was coming, we just kept turning it over. Not much confidence, but to get confidence, you've got to get your face down, and you've got to play hard, and we're a little straight up and down right now."
On a night when most of the shots weren't falling and the team seemed out of rhythm, the Ducks found a way to win behind big performances from Simpkins and Bittle. Bittle's 12-point, 14-rebound double-double was highlighted by four blocks on the defensive end. Devon Pryor (nine points) and Sean Stewart (eight points) rounded out Oregon's leading scorers.
How it Happened: Oregon started slow but controlled most of the first half, taking a 33-26 lead into halftime. Hawaii refused to go quietly, opening the second half on a 6-0 run. The Ducks answered with an 8-0 run of their own to push the lead to 14.
A furious Hawaii comeback then erased the 14-point UO lead. Oregon led 50-36 with just over 11 minutes left before the Rainbow Warriors stormed back behind Isaac Johnson, who scored 11 of his team-high 13 points in the second half. His tip-in with 5:31 remaining gave Hawaii its first lead since the opening minutes, 54-53, capping a 14-0 run.
Simpkins answered for Oregon, scoring six points over the final five minutes, including a short jumper in the lane that sealed the victory. The senior guard finished 7 of 12 from the field and added three rebounds and three assists.
Notable: Oregon has now won the home opener in all 16 seasons under Dana Altman and improved to 14-2 in season-opening games. … Bittle recorded his fourth consecutive double-double dating back to last season, with 12 points and 14 rebounds. … Simpkins went 7 of 12 from the field and finished with 18 points in his Ducks debut.
Up Next: The Ducks host Rice on Friday, Nov. 7, at Matthew Knight Arena (7 p.m., B1G+).
