Strong Senior Play Lifts Ducks Over Cardinal

Saturday, March 4

Eugene, OR

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

18-13,12-8Pac-12

Stanford

13-18,7-13Pac-12

Stanford

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

03/04/23 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Oregon secures first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon closed out the regular season with a strong 73-68 performance against Stanford on Senior Night. Oregon earned a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament, clinching the four seed. The Ducks will play the winner of the five versus 12 matchup.

N'Faly Dante finished with a career-high-tying five blocks, including one on the final Stanford possession to seal the win. Prior to the game-sealing block, senior guard Will Richardson strung together consecutive assists and buckets to balloon the Oregon lead, one they would not relinquish.

How It Happened: Oregon started slowly while it seemed like Stanford couldn't miss. The Cardinal jumped out to an early 8-0 run, hitting three of their first four three-point attempts. Nate Bittle sparked a Ducks run soon-after, netting an open three-pointer and then drawing a charge right after. The following possession was an N'Faly Dante dunk to make it eight to five. A few buckets later, it was an 11-five lead for Stanford at the first TV timeout.

The Ducks got things going with a six-point run to cut it to 18-15, and then the biggest run of the half, an eight-zero run, gave Oregon their first lead of the game at 22-21. From there, the game settled, and the two teams began traded hoops. Kel'el Ware checked into the game and scored the final five points of the half for Oregon, pushing the lead to 39-34 at halftime.

Oregon continued to play well to start the second, as they outscored Stanford nine to five in the first five minutes of the second half. The run was a result of three consecutive three-point buckets from Will Richardson, Quincy Guerrier, and Jermaine Couisnard. A few points later, it was a 12-point lead for Oregon after Keeshawn Barthelemy's fourth three-pointer of the night.

Stanford stormed back after the resulting timeout, cutting the Oregon lead to three after the nine-zero run. Richardson calmed the nerve of the Ducks with back-to-back drives and dishes to Bittle for consecutive buckets. Richardson then converted an and-one opportunity and made another driving layup to give Oregon another cushion. Stanford would not go away, but key defensive stops and free throws pushed the Ducks to victory.

Quotable:
Head Coach Dana Altman on the current state of the team:
"We've got a little momentum. Guys understand that defensively, we've got to play our tails off, because offensively, we've been inconsistent and turnover have hurt us. We've had 18 wins and in all 18 wins, we've held our opponent under 70 points. If we're going to have a chance, it starts with the defense."

Notable: Dante's five blocks tied his career-best, adding 15 points (7-9 FG) and 12 rebounds. Barthelemy (14 points, 4-7 3FG) and Richardson (10 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) all reached double-figures.

Up Next: Oregon awaits their opponent in the Pac-12 Tournament, a matchup with the winner of the five vs. 12 matchup. The Ducks first round game will take place at 2:30 p.m. PT on Thursday.