University of Oregon
8-15,1-11Big Ten
Purdue
19-4,9-3Big Ten
Ducks Battle, Fall Short to No. 12 Purdue
02/07/26 | Men's Basketball
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Nate Bittle scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed five rebounds, but Oregon couldn't overcome a cold shooting stretch late as No. 12 Purdue held on for a 68-64 victory Friday afternoon at Mackey Arena.
The Ducks (8-15, 1-11) trailed by just two at halftime and traded punches with the Boilermakers throughout the second half, tying the game five times and taking brief leads in the final six minutes. Oregon last went in front at 59-56 on a fast-break layup by Takai Simpkins with 5:15 remaining, but Purdue answered with a 6-0 run sparked by free throws and defensive stops.
Bittle anchored Oregon inside and was responsible for much of the Ducks' scoring down the stretch, converting multiple trips to the foul line to keep Oregon within striking distance. Simpkins added 14 points and four steals, while Sean Stewart chipped in seven points and seven rebounds.
Oregon shot 44.4% overall but struggled from beyond the arc, finishing just 5 of 25. The Ducks were 2 of 15 from 3-point range in the second half and closed the game missing six consecutive shots, as Purdue leaned on free throws late to protect its lead.
How It Happened: The Ducks opened the game aggressively, hitting three early 3-pointers and jumping out to a 6-2 lead. Oregon shot nearly 52% in the first half and stayed within one possession for most of the opening 20 minutes, trailing 36-34 at the break. Bittle scored 14 points in the first half, helping Oregon offset Purdue's edge at the free-throw line.
In the second half, Oregon continued to attack the paint, scoring 30 points inside for the game and matching Purdue in fast-break points. Wei Lin provided a spark off the bench with seven points, including a key 3-pointer midway through the half that trimmed the deficit to four.
Purdue sealed the game at the line, attempting 10 more free throws than Oregon, connecting on 16 of 21 attempts in the second half. The Ducks attempted just 11 in the half, with the discrepancy proving pivotal. After Oregon pulled within 66-64 on a free throw by Kwame Evans Jr. with seven seconds left, Fletcher Loyer made two free throws to close out the win.
Notable: Bittle returned after missing five games due to injury, and led Oregon with 23 points, five rebounds and two assists. … Simpkins added 14 points and Lin scored seven off the bench, with three assists. … Kwame Evans Jr. and Sean Stewart each grabbed seven rebounds.
Up Next: The Ducks play at Indiana on Monday (5:30 p.m., FS1).
