Rematch in Desert Goes To Wildcats

Thursday, February 2

Tucson, AZ

7:30 PM

University of Oregon

13-10,7-5Pac-12

Arizona

20-3,9-3Pac-12

Oregon

Arizona

Photo by: USA Today

02/02/23 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Oregon had a chance to complete a season sweep of Arizona on Thursday, but the Ducks couldn't slow down the Wildcats' explosive offense.

By: Rob Moseley

TUCSON, Ariz. — Three weeks after Oregon dominated the paint to knock off Arizona in Eugene, the No. 5 Wildcats evened the score Thursday at McKale Center with a 91-76 victory over the Ducks fueled by post play.

Oregon big men N'Faly Dante and Nate Bittle each had three fouls in the first half Thursday, contributing to a big night for Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis, who had 27 of his career-high 40 points in the opening half. The Ducks had won four of five entering Thursday, a streak that began with that win over the Wildcats, and will look to get back on track Saturday at Arizona State.

"I'm disappointed," UO coach Dana Altman said. "You can't win giving up 91. We scored 76; our offense wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. But you can't win giving up 91 on the road."

Will Richardson had 15 of his team-high 22 points for the Ducks in the second half. Dante and Rivaldo Soares added 13 points each, while Keeshawn Barthelemy and Jermaine Couisnard both hit two threes and finished with eight points.

How It Happened: The Ducks (13-10, 7-5 Pac-12) scored the first five points of the game, forcing an early Arizona timeout. The Wildcats responded emphatically, putting together a 21-2 run to take control of the game — for good, as it turned out.

A 10-2 run that included threes by Barthelemy and Couisnard got Oregon back within six, at 23-17. But Arizona answered with an 8-2 run that included two three-point plays from Tubelis, the Pac-12's leading scorer entering the night. After that he scored 10 of Arizona final 19 points of the half, and the Wildcats led 50-35 at the break.

Richardson hit a three early in the second half to get the Ducks within 10 at 54-44. That started a run of 13 straight UO points by Richardson, capped by another three after Arizona had taken its biggest lead of the night at 71-51.

Oregon scored seven straight, and a three by Barthelemy made it 74-61. But Tubelis got going again, and yet another and-one conversion got Arizona's lead back out to 81-63. The Ducks got as close as 10 again a couple of times late, but ultimately Oregon never got back within single digits in the second half.

Notable: With his five assists Thursday, Richardson improved to 461 for his career, moving into sixth in UO history ahead of Johnathan Loyd (458, 2010-14) and just behind Aaron Brooks (471, 2003-07). … Richardson remains third in career steals at Oregon after recording two Thursday to reach 181 in his career. … Thursday's game was the 138th of Richardson's UO career, fourth-most in school history. Third is E.J. Singler at 142 from 2009-13.

Quotable:
Head coach Dana Altman on defensive breakdowns that cost the Ducks
"We just fundamentally were not good on the defensive end, and it cost an opportunity to get a game. We did such a good job at our place taking away scouting report buckets, and tonight we did a horrible job."

Head coach Dana Altman on turning the page to the Sun Devils
"We've got to bounce back quick. They got a win (over Oregon State on Thursday), they'll be up. They've gotten us the last two years; we've got to turn that around."

Up Next: The Ducks play at Arizona State on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN2).