Ducks Drop Second in a Row

LAS VEGAS — Oregon couldn't keep pace with a red-hot San Diego State offense Tuesday night, falling 97–80 at Michelob ULTRA Arena despite 21 points from Jackson Shelstad.

Nate Bittle added 13 points for the Ducks (4-2), including eight before halftime as Oregon hung within two possessions several times. Kwame Evans Jr. finished with 16 points, five assists and five rebounds, and Devon Pryor chipped in nine points. But Oregon's sluggish defending helped the Aztecs build a 51–41 halftime lead that would only grow in the second half.

"I don't want to take anything away from them," head coach Dana Altman said. "They played their tails off. They had more energy than we did a lot of that game from the easy baskets that we gave up, but very disappointed in our defensive effort."

How it happened: The Ducks opened strong behind Shelstad, who hit three early 3-pointers and scored 12 of Oregon's first 15 points. Oregon led 3–0, 6–4 and 9–6 in the opening minutes, but San Diego State countered with a series of runs fueled by efficiency inside and timely perimeter shooting. The Aztecs shot 69 percent in the first half and 67 percent overall, repeatedly converting in the paint and on second-chances while Oregon struggled to string together stops.

Oregon opened the second half with a Shelstad 3 and a series of free throws and putbacks that trimmed the margin to 55–49, but San Diego State answered with another burst—highlighted by Reese Dixon-Waters' third 3-pointer and a fast-break layup from Jeremiah Oden to push the lead back into double digits. Oregon never got closer than eight again.

Notable: Shelstad recorded his third 20-point game of the season. … Evans Jr. tied his season high with 16 points and set a new career high of five assists. … UO shot 81.8 percent from the free throw line.

Up next: Oregon plays Creighton Thursday at 11 a.m. PT in Michelob ULTRA Arena (truTV).