University of Oregon
Western Oregon (EX)
Brooks' Three-Pointers Propel Oregon Past WOU
11/14/04 | Men's Basketball
EUGENE ? Oregon got three three-pointers from sophomore Aaron Brooks -- including the game-breaker with 1:23 remaining -- as the Ducks held on for a 66-58 victory over NCAA Division II Western Oregon in the team's final exhibition in front of 9,087 at sold out McArthur Court.
"Western Oregon is an extremely well-coached team," Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said. "They did everything they needed to do in order to stay in the game. We are going to watch tape of this game when we prepare for Idaho State. Western Oregon did a lot of things that we have been preaching in practice."
After being tied 32-32 at halftime, Oregon went on a 9-0 run, holding the Wolves scoreless for first 4:05 of the second half. Western Oregon, though, battled back, taking a 58-57 lead with 3:37 remaining on a tip in by Medford native Ryan Fiegi. Brooks then scored five unanswered points to help preserve the victory.
"Aaron hung in their and came up big for us," Kent said. "A close battle was just what this team needed. We got some key defensive stops at the end of the game and the players executed everything we needed them to do in order to win."
Brooks netted a team-high 21 points, including three-of-six from beyond the arc and 10-of-13 from the free throw line. Freshman Malik Hairston turned out another efficient performance with 15 points on six-of-10 shooting and five rebounds.
Senior Ian Crosswhite led the Ducks with six rebounds and 11 points. Junior Brandon Lincoln added seven points and freshman Bryce Taylor had six.
The Wolves were led by Portland native Kevin Tyner's team-high 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Evan Kietling, from Gladstone, added 13 points, while Fiegi chipped in 11.
WOU, with no player taller than 6-7 on its roster, out-rebounded the Ducks 29-26. The Wolves also netted 50 percent from three-point range (eight-of-16) to Oregon's 46.2 percent (six-of-13).
The Ducks open the regular season Friday against Idaho State at 8 p.m. at McArthur Court.
