Oregon Keeps Pace With Road Victory

Thursday, February 1

Los Angeles, CA

7:30 PM

University of Oregon

15-6,7-3Pac-12

USC

8-13,2-8Pac-12

Oregon

Southern California

02/01/24 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Oregon led by double-figures for the greater part of the second half but needed to fend off a late challenge by USC to secure a 78-69 road victory on Thursday night, maintaining its position in a tie for first place in the Pac-12 standings.

A 13-5 run to begin the second half by the Ducks (15-6, 7-3 Pac-12) opened up a 15-point lead that put UO in a comfortable position. However, a late 11-0 scoring run by the Trojans (8-13, 2-8 Pac-12) forced Oregon to make its free throws and play solid defense down the stretch. The Ducks made each of their final four shots from the charity stripe and forced misses on each of USC's last five attempts to secure the victory.

Oregon freshman Jackson Shelstad turned in another stellar performance against the Trojans, leading all scorers with 20 – including 15 in the game's first eight minutes – while dishing out six assists. Kario Oquendo turned in an all-around performance in his first start as a Duck with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Jermaine Couisnard, Jadrian Tracey and N'Faly Dante each chipped in 11 to ensure all five Oregon starters reached double-figure scoring.

How It Happened: Shelstad was sensational to start the contest as he connected on each of his first six attempts from the floor – including three shots from deep – to score 15 points in the first eight minutes of the game. His performance was a large part of the Ducks shooting 61.1-percent from the field and 5-of-7 from 3-point range to start, helping build a seven-point advantage.

The hot shooting eventually cooled off as Oregon managed just 3-of-17 shooting over the final 11 minutes of the half, allowing USC to tie up the score at 37 apiece with 3:55 left in the opening period. The Ducks countered with solid free throw shooting and a corner three from Couisnard to fuel a 9-2 scoring run that created a 46-39 advantage as the teams broke for the locker room.

Oregon entered the second half with a new focus, sinking its first two attempts from deep followed by an Oquendo fast-break dunk that quickly grew the lead to 12 and forced a USC timeout a little over two minutes into the second half. Steady scoring by the Ducks allowed them to maintain the lead for the next several minutes, but with four minutes remaining the Trojans began an 11-0 scoring run that forced Oregon back into action.

UO made good on each of its free throws in the final minute and gathered enough stops to secure the victory and maintain its position in a tie atop the Pac-12 standings.

Up Next: The Ducks turn around to face UCLA on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT (ESPN2).