Defensive Energy Helps Ducks To 2-0

Monday, November 13

Eugene, OR

6:00 PM

University of Oregon

2-0

100

Prairie View A&M

0-2

Prairie View A&M

Oregon

100

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

11/13/17 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Oregon-Prairie View A&M Box Score Season Stats 2017-18

Oregon ramped up the intensity on the defensive end to pull away from Prairie View A&M and win 100-67 on Monday at Matthew Knight Arena.

By: Rob Moseley

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon head coach Dana Altman moved within a game of 600 career wins with the Ducks' 100-67 victory Monday over Prairie View A&M before 6,428 fans in Matthew Knight Arena.

How It Happened: The Ducks (2-0) took a few minutes to establish themselves defensively, with the Panthers scoring to stay within 13-11 early on. Coming out of a timeout with 11:40 left in the first half, Altman amped up the defensive pressure, and Oregon mounted a 17-5 run to gain some breathing room. Prairie View A&M (0-2) stayed close thanks to its effort on the offensive glass, scoring second-chance points on consecutive possessions to close within 30-22.

Coming out of halftime, Oregon scored on its first six possessions, going ahead 51-35 on a layin by Elijah Brown. The Panthers' last sustained surge got them within 57-44, but the Ducks answered with a 13-1 run to put the game away, holding the visitors without a field goal for a stretch of 4:17 midway through the second half.

Who Stood Out: Troy Brown continues to provide a well-rounded impact with 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Four other Ducks scored in double figures, led by transfer Paul White with a career-high 16 points in his UO debut. Victor Bailey Jr. added 15 points, Elijah Brown scored 12 and Abu Kigab added 10.

104013

What It Means: The Ducks enjoyed a cleaner effort three days after a ragged season-opener against Coppin State, though by all means there's still plenty to refine as the new-look roster continues to jell over the nonconference slate.

Quotable:
Head coach Dana Altman
On his overall impressions
"I thought we were better tonight. I thought our activity was a little better. We still have got to get our ball movement much better on the offensive end. Defensively we talked a little better, but we've got to make some big steps here. We're going to face some veteran teams here in the next couple weeks, and we're giving up too many easy ones due to miscommunication."

Sophomore wing Keith Smith
On the defensive effort
"The first half we did pull away, but it wasn't like we wanted to. The mentality on defense wasn't there; we were playing better defense, but we weren't finishing plays, weren't getting rebounds. The second half, that's when we started focusing on the whole process— getting the stop, getting the rebound and getting the runout."

Freshman wing Troy Brown
On the growth from game one to game two
"Personally, I felt like we did a better job defensively. That was our key today. Rebounding, I don't think we did enough on the defensive or offensive end. But overall I thought we brought enough intensity, and we've just got to keep going up from here."

Notable: Altman is one win away from becoming the 34th NCAA Division I coach with 600 career wins. … The Ducks extended their home win streak to 44 games, the longest active streak in the nation. … Along with White, M.J. Cage made his UO debut. Cage entered the game midway through the second half; both players scored on the Ducks' first possession after they entered.

Up Next: The Ducks remain at home to host Alabama State in Altman's first chance at victory No. 600 on Friday (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network).