Second-Half Onslaught Extends Season

Tuesday, March 13

Eugene, OR

7:00 PM

University of Oregon

23-12

Rider

22-10

Rider

Oregon

03/13/18 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box: Oregon 99, Rider 86 UO Season Stats (3/13/18)

The UO men's basketball team shot 20-of-26 in the second half to come from behind and beat Rider on Tuesday in the NIT, 99-86.

By: Rob Moseley

EUGENE, Ore. — A brilliant shooting performance in the second half propelled the Oregon men's basketball team to a 99-86 victory over Rider on Tuesday in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament, before 2,327 fans in Matthew Knight Arena.

Down 44-36 at halftime, the Ducks (23-12) shot 20-of-26 in the second half, making their first 10 shots of the fourth quarter to extend their season. "We realized how special it was," freshman post Kenny Wooten said. "Not a lot of teams can play past their (regular) season. We just tried to embrace it and give it all we got."

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How It Happened: The Ducks fought back with a mix of drives to the hoop and kickouts to the three-point line, each opening up space for the other with each successive made basket. After the Broncs took their biggest lead of the game at 51-39 just after halftime, Oregon mounted an 11-0 run. Elijah Brown got it going with a three-pointer, and Payton Pritchard bullied his way to the rim for two layups.

Victor Bailey Jr., who made three three-pointers in the first half — matching his season-high already — made another to get the Ducks within 56-55. Oregon took its first lead two possessions later, on yet another layin by Pritchard. "Once we started clicking, got a few shots down, the energy level started going up," UO coach Dana Altman. "VJ really likes to play when the ball's going in, and he did a really nice job of getting us going."

The Ducks trailed 65-61 entering the fourth quarter, and got within three on a MiKyle McIntosh free throw. Bailey then hit consecutive three-pointers for a 68-65 lead, and after Rider took its last lead at 72-70, Oregon scored seven straight and never trailed again. The Ducks were 10-of-10 in the fourth quarter before finally missing, a Pritchard three-pointer that Troy Brown Jr. flushed home for a follow dunk and the game's last points.

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The second-half outburst stood in contrast to a first half in which Oregon was thoroughly outplayed. Rider (22-10) shot .543 in the first two quarters, with 12 second-chance points and 28 points in the paint.

Who Stood Out: Bailey ended up 7-of-8 from three-point range for a career-high 23 points — and his only two-pointer came with a foot on the line of the extended three-point arc being employed for the NIT. Pritchard added 7-of-12 shooting for 23 points, dished out eight assists and grabbed six rebounds. Elijah Brown added 18 points, Wooten provided a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Troy Brown had a typically well-rounded night with seven points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

What It Means: The Ducks won their opening game for the fourth straight NIT appearance, following on the heels of 1999, 2004 and 2012. The UO men won at least twice in each of those three previous appearances.

Up Next: The Ducks await the result of Wednesday's matchup between Marquette and Harvard; Oregon would play at Marquette, but would host another game if Harvard advances.