Defense Helps Ducks Overcome Slow Start to Win, 82-75

EUGENE, Ore. -- The University of Oregon men's basketball team opened its 2011-12 exhibition schedule with a 82-75 win over Grand Canyon on Wednesday night in Eugene.

The Ducks had three players score in double figures as both Tony Woods and E.J. Singler poured in 16 apiece, while Jabari Brown added 10. Tyrone Nared led the way in rebounding with a game-high 11.

That seven-point halftime lead was the difference in the game as both teams tallied 43 points apiece in the second half.

Oregon had to use a strong defensive stand to keep them in the game as the Ducks swatted away 13 shots in the game compared to just one by Grand Canyon. UO also hit the boards hard, outrebounding GCU, 52-50, including 35 on the defensive end.

The Antelopes put the Ducks on the free throw line, 45 times and UO made the best of those chances, sinking 33 of those attempts, while Oregon only sent GCU to the line 29 times with them making 19 of those.

Junior Carlos Emory put together a three-point play at the 2:21 mark in the first half to give Oregon a 30-28 lead over Grand Canyon that they did not relinquish for the rest of the game after a slow start.

Oregon will play its final exhibition game on Sunday against Lewis and Clark, with tip-time slated for 3 p.m. The Ducks open the regular-season schedule on the road at Vanderbilt on Nov. 11.

NOTES
- Ducks out-scored GCU, 24-8, over the final seven minutes of first half.

- Grand Canyon's largest lead of the game was nine points (7:01 in first half).

- Ten different Ducks scored in the game.

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