Late Miscues Spoil Ducks' Upset Bid

Tuesday, January 20

Eugene, Ore.

6 p.m.

University of Oregon

8-11,1-7Big Ten

Michigan State

17-2,7-1Big Ten

Michigan St.

Oregon

Photo by: Rob Moseley/GoDucks.com

01/20/26 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score: UO 52, MSU 68

Oregon had the lead in the second half over No. 10 Michigan State on Tuesday but couldn't hold on.

By: Rob Moseley

EUGENE, Ore. — For the second time in four days, Oregon comported itself well against a top-10 opponent. For the second time in four days, it wasn't quite enough.

The UO men's basketball team had the lead over No. 10 Michigan State six minutes into the second half Tuesday at Matthew Knight Arena. But after the Ducks were unable to hold on to a halftime lead Saturday against No. 4 Michigan, they ultimately suffered a 68-52 loss to the Spartans.

After a 5-0 run put Oregon up 38-35 with 14:01 left in the game, the Ducks (8-11, 1-7 Big Ten) turned it over on three of their next four possessions. The UO men also missed four second-half free throws, three with their deficit still in single digits.

"We had it where we wanted it," UO coach Dana Altman said. "You can't turn the ball over three possessions in a row. And when you're missing a couple guys who can really score, you've got to get every point you can and can't miss those four free throws."

Takai Simpkins had 15 points to lead the Ducks, and was their only scorer in double figures. He was the only UO player to make more than three field goals Tuesday.

The Ducks continue to battle without veteran leaders Nate Bittle and Jackson Shelstad. Their absence was the focus of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo's opening statement in a postgame press conference Tuesday.

"That's a lot to overcome," Izzo said. "I thought those guys played their tails off."

How It Happened: An 11-0 run put Michigan State up 13-4 in the first half, before the Ducks found some rhythm. Simpkins and Dezdrick Lindsay hit three-pointers as Oregon scored eight straight to answer that run by MSU, and get it back to a one-possession game.

The rest of the half was played at Oregon's preferred pace, as the UO men coaxed multiple shot-clock violations by the Spartans. Simpkins and Drew Carter hit consecutive three-pointers to tie it at 20-20, and a layup by Luke Johnson gave the Ducks a 22-21 advantage before Michigan State pushed back to lead 28-26 at halftime.

"We had the tempo kind of where we wanted it," Altman said. "We knew we couldn't run with them, so we had the tempo where we wanted it. Our activity was good."

Michigan State led 35-33 in the second half before a Sean Stewart free throw followed by baskets from Kwame Evans Jr. and Ege Demir put Oregon up 38-35.

The Ducks turned it over three times in the next four possessions, however, and the Spartans grabbed momentum with a 25-6 run to put the game on ice.

"Our margin for error is so small, and we can't make those mistakes," Altman said. "And we did. And as soon as they got a lead, they freed up and started moving the ball and shot it much better."

Notable: Evans (head) and Demir (shoulder) both were evaluated by medical staff postgame after sitting out the last few minutes of the game. … Sophomore Jamari Phillips was suspended for Tuesday's game. Altman said Saturday that Phillips had been late to pregame shootaround that morning. … Freshman Efe Vatan was in uniform and is cleared to play after missing the first half of the season due to injury.

Up Next: The Ducks play at Washington on Sunday (noon, Peacock).