Sunday, March 19
Eugene, OR
4:30 PM
University of Oregon
21-14,12-8Pac-12
68
vs
54
UCF
19-15,8-10AAC
1
2
F
UCF
24
30
54
Oregon
33
35
68
Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Motivated Ducks Extend Season With Win
03/19/23 | Men's Basketball
Oregon beat UCF in the second round of the NIT on Sunday, earning another home game, against Wisconsin on Tuesday.
EUGENE, Ore. — Through two NIT games, the Oregon men's basketball team hasn't just managed to survive. The Ducks have been able to thrive.
Winning comfortably for the second time in this tournament, the UO men led from midway through the first half to the end of a 68-54 victory Sunday over Central Florida before 3,019 fans in Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks earned another home game in the NIT quarterfinals, against Wisconsin on Tuesday.
"Some people I know, their seasons already ended," UO freshman Kel'el Ware said. "I'm just happy to keep hooping, working on my craft in practice and in the games."
In a tournament that often seems to be decided by which team is most motivated, the Ducks have made clear their intention to play as long as possible. Nate Bittle has helped see to that by setting a career high in scoring both games, including 21 points plus 13 rebounds on Sunday.
Ware added 11 points as the UO big men had their way in the paint, and Quincy Guerrier complemented them with a trio of three-pointers on his way to 17 points. Keeshawn Barthelemy added nine points with eight assists, and Rivaldo Soares had eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
"I've just been waiting for this opportunity," Bittle said. "And now that we've been able to get me at the 'five' a little bit more, I think I'm more comfortable there. But you know, I'm just happy to be playing, honestly. That's all. I just want to keep playing. I don't want my season to end."
How It Happened: On a night the Ducks held UCF to 30.8 percent shooting, the visitors missed their first eight shots as Oregon took an early lead at 5-2. The Knights got hot with four straight baskets to take a 12-9 lead, and capped an 8-0 run with a three-pointer to go up 15-9. But the Ducks answered with their own 8-0 run, which included three buckets from Barthelemy and a shot-clock-beating corner jump shot by Soares.
UCF ended that UO run with a three-pointer to go back up 18-17, but Bittle answered with a three and then laid in a pass from Barthelemy, and the Ducks never trailed again. A thunderous tomahawk slam by Ware put Oregon up 26-22, and the Ducks scored the final seven points of the first half to lead 33-24 at the break.
"They really couldn't guard us in the paint," Ware said. "All we had to do is just be physical, and once we got physical with them they couldn't stop us down there. All it was was fouls and getting to the free-throw line after that."
The momentum from the run late in the first half carried over, and Oregon put together a 12-0 run early in the second half to lead 47-26. Bittle sparked that run with a reverse layin, and Ware finished it with a three-point play.
After the Ducks went up 51-30, UCF amped up the defensive pressure, and Oregon struggled with it. But the lead never got to less than 13 as the Ducks held on.
Notable: The Ducks played again without post N'Faly Dante and guard Jermaine Couisnard. Altman said they continue to rehab injuries and will play if cleared medically. … The Ducks entered Sunday 2-7 this season when making five or fewer three-pointers. Their last win with less than six made threes was over UC Riverside on Dec. 14. … Oregon is 35-of-56 from the free-throw line in the NIT, or 62.5 percent.
Quotable:
UO coach Dana Altman on the defensive effort against UCF
"Quincy I thought really took the challenge tonight. Taylor Hendricks is a really good player — there were NBA people here to see him; leading rebounder for their team, leading scorer. He had one field goal at half. I thought Quincy really took the challenge and did a tremendous job. You know, we made some mistakes on (C.J.) Kelly and he got to the rim a couple of times. But it took him a lot of shots to get his points."
UO coach Dana Altman on the crowd in attendance Sunday
"For the people who came today, I really appreciate it. I know it's not convenient, 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. We're not where we want to be. I understand all that, but I really appreciate those people who did come today. We've got a chance to play Wisconsin on Tuesday night at home; we don't get Big Ten teams to come out here very often. So it'll be great to have them here to play at six on Tuesday. So I hope the students will respond, that People respond.
Up Next: The Ducks host Wisconsin in Matthew Knight Arena on Tuesday (6 p.m., ESPN).
Winning comfortably for the second time in this tournament, the UO men led from midway through the first half to the end of a 68-54 victory Sunday over Central Florida before 3,019 fans in Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks earned another home game in the NIT quarterfinals, against Wisconsin on Tuesday.
"Some people I know, their seasons already ended," UO freshman Kel'el Ware said. "I'm just happy to keep hooping, working on my craft in practice and in the games."
In a tournament that often seems to be decided by which team is most motivated, the Ducks have made clear their intention to play as long as possible. Nate Bittle has helped see to that by setting a career high in scoring both games, including 21 points plus 13 rebounds on Sunday.
Ware added 11 points as the UO big men had their way in the paint, and Quincy Guerrier complemented them with a trio of three-pointers on his way to 17 points. Keeshawn Barthelemy added nine points with eight assists, and Rivaldo Soares had eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
"I've just been waiting for this opportunity," Bittle said. "And now that we've been able to get me at the 'five' a little bit more, I think I'm more comfortable there. But you know, I'm just happy to be playing, honestly. That's all. I just want to keep playing. I don't want my season to end."
How It Happened: On a night the Ducks held UCF to 30.8 percent shooting, the visitors missed their first eight shots as Oregon took an early lead at 5-2. The Knights got hot with four straight baskets to take a 12-9 lead, and capped an 8-0 run with a three-pointer to go up 15-9. But the Ducks answered with their own 8-0 run, which included three buckets from Barthelemy and a shot-clock-beating corner jump shot by Soares.
UCF ended that UO run with a three-pointer to go back up 18-17, but Bittle answered with a three and then laid in a pass from Barthelemy, and the Ducks never trailed again. A thunderous tomahawk slam by Ware put Oregon up 26-22, and the Ducks scored the final seven points of the first half to lead 33-24 at the break.
"They really couldn't guard us in the paint," Ware said. "All we had to do is just be physical, and once we got physical with them they couldn't stop us down there. All it was was fouls and getting to the free-throw line after that."
The momentum from the run late in the first half carried over, and Oregon put together a 12-0 run early in the second half to lead 47-26. Bittle sparked that run with a reverse layin, and Ware finished it with a three-point play.
After the Ducks went up 51-30, UCF amped up the defensive pressure, and Oregon struggled with it. But the lead never got to less than 13 as the Ducks held on.
Notable: The Ducks played again without post N'Faly Dante and guard Jermaine Couisnard. Altman said they continue to rehab injuries and will play if cleared medically. … The Ducks entered Sunday 2-7 this season when making five or fewer three-pointers. Their last win with less than six made threes was over UC Riverside on Dec. 14. … Oregon is 35-of-56 from the free-throw line in the NIT, or 62.5 percent.
Quotable:
UO coach Dana Altman on the defensive effort against UCF
"Quincy I thought really took the challenge tonight. Taylor Hendricks is a really good player — there were NBA people here to see him; leading rebounder for their team, leading scorer. He had one field goal at half. I thought Quincy really took the challenge and did a tremendous job. You know, we made some mistakes on (C.J.) Kelly and he got to the rim a couple of times. But it took him a lot of shots to get his points."
UO coach Dana Altman on the crowd in attendance Sunday
"For the people who came today, I really appreciate it. I know it's not convenient, 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. We're not where we want to be. I understand all that, but I really appreciate those people who did come today. We've got a chance to play Wisconsin on Tuesday night at home; we don't get Big Ten teams to come out here very often. So it'll be great to have them here to play at six on Tuesday. So I hope the students will respond, that People respond.
Up Next: The Ducks host Wisconsin in Matthew Knight Arena on Tuesday (6 p.m., ESPN).
Team Stats
UCF
Oregon
FG%
.306
.489
3FG%
.167
.263
FT%
.786
.654
RB
31
40
TO
13
18
STL
11
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
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