Instant Recap: #15 Oregon holds on against Washington 82-71

Oregon enters the game tonight, ranked 22nd in the Net and 25th in KenPom. Washington has been better than in previous season, but is still not good. The Huskies rank 93rd in Net rankings, and 95th in KenPom. This game is a Quad 3 game for the Ducks, and definitely not a loss they can have on their resume. Their defense is far better than their offense is, but Oregon needs to figure out a way to guard Great Osobor. The Huskies will be without former Oregon Duck Franck Kepnang, and Chris Conway, an Oakland transfer who hasn’t played this season.

First Half:

Washington starting Ihenacho, Diallo, Harris, Osobor, and Breidenbach. Oregon sticks with the typical starting lineup of Shelstad, Bamba, Tracey, Angel, and Bittle.

Ducks trail 9-12 at the first media timeout, nearly 6 minutes in. TJ Bamba has 5 early points, including a 3-pointer. I’m already noticing a trend of Great Osobor flopping for foul calls, which he hasn’t gotten yet. Now, TJ Bamba gets a steal and a nice layup, to give him 7 points.

Oregon off to another slow start, trailing 11-17 at the second media timeout. Ducks record their 8th turnover in only 9 1/2 minutes, Washington typically only forces 13 a game.

TJ Bamba makes a nice pass to the corner for Angel and he knocks down the 3-pointer, cutting the deficit to 4. Keeshawn Barthelemy hits a midrange and the Husky lead is down to only two points.

Wilhelm Breidenbach, Washington’s leading scorer tonight, has picked up his second foul. Ducks trail 18-20 with 7:27 left in the first half.

Brandon Angel with an aggressive drive, gets the layup to go and is fouled by KC Ibekwe, his third. Ducks with a chance to tie, and Angel misses after an announcer’s jinx.

Oregon still trails with 3:50 remaining in the half, 23-24. Supreme Cook is completely lost on the court.

Keeshawn Barthelemy knocks down the 3-pointer, and the Ducks lead for the first time since it was 2-0. Washington takes the lead right back however, after the Luis Kortright bucket.

Ducks have taken the lead back and hold it for longer than a possession, as Keeshawn Barthelemy has 4 straight points. Ducks lead 32-29 with under a minute to go.

Jackson Shelstad now fouls DJ Davis on a 3-point attempt. Davis is able to make all 3, and the game is tied yet again. TJ Bamba lays it in with a strong drive and Washington can’t answer back.

End of 1, Oregon leads 34-32 over the Huskies.

Second Half:

Out of the break, Brandon Angel bullies Wilhelm Breidenbach to the cup and lays it in. TJ Bamba knocks down a stepback 3-pointer while Tyler Harris isn’t even guarding him at the three point line. Ducks have a 5 point lead before Tyler Harris answers with a three of his own. Tyler Harris wide open and knocks down another three, giving Washington the lead. TJ Bamba responds right back though and Oregon leads again, 43-42.

Zoom Diallo’s two free throws give Washington the lead back, 44-43. Now on the other end KJ Evans gets a run to the rim and lays it in. Ducks lead 45-44 with 15:39 to play. Broadcast steps aside to attend to Great Osobor after Keeshawn Barthelemy fouled him pretty hard on what seemed like an open layup.

It’s called a flagrant 1 on Keeshawn Barthelemy, I have no problems with it. This is the 3rd flagrant called on the Ducks in the last two games.

Supreme Cook is fouled on a made layup, and will have a chance to tie the game at 48. Now, Supreme Cook ties the game, and is able to get a block on the other end. Cook heads to the line yet again, and makes one of two free throws, giving Oregon the 49-48 lead.

Now again Supreme Cook is showing up, he gets the layup to fall. Suddenly, the Ducks are finding really good offensive output from Cook, and lead 51-50 after a Washington dunk. 11:52 to play at Matthew Knight Arena.

Supreme Cook picks up his 2nd foul and heads to the bench with 10:20 to play.

TJ Bamba knocks down his third three of the night, and Oregon ties the game at 58. Brandon Angel gets the long two to go, and gives Oregon the 60-58 lead, 18th lead change tonight. Another phantom call against Bittle, Great Osobor is just selling all contact. Bittle has just picked up his 4th foul of the game.

Great Osobor ties the game at 60 with 6:22 to go. Now, Supreme Cook goes at Great Osobor and draws a foul. Both of the fall for Cook, and Oregon again leads by 2.

Again Great Osobor is called for a foul. TJ Bamba gets the 1-and-1 opportunity, knocking down the first, and the second.

TJ Bamba is absolutely hounding Zoom Diallo and the freshman eventually travels. Brandon Angel backs down Breidenbach and the Ducks lead is back up to 4 points, 66-62 with 4:58 left.

Supreme Cook yet again back down Breidenbach and gives the Ducks their biggest lead of the game at 6. After Washington briefly cuts it down the 4, Cook again goes at Breidenbach and is fouled. Breidenbach is called for a flagrant 1, an intentional foul, which is his 4th. Ducks get the free throws, and the ball back.

Oregon leading 73-66 after the Washington timeout, 1:55 left. The Ducks are likely to escape this one, and move to 10-2 when leading or tied at the half.

Jackson Shelstad just got both free throws to fall a moment ago, and then hits a late three. Shelstad finishes with 11 points. Zoom Diallo hits a meaningless three, unless you bet on this one, Oregon wins 82-71.

Brief Thoughts:

This game was definitely a bit scary at times, but I’m very pleased with the way the team turned it around. The turnovers were a major issue in the first half and the Ducks recorded only 1 in the second half. Second, I am so happy for TJ Bamba, he finally had the game where he broke out of the slump. He had been shooting career worst splits on the season, but was able to see three 3-pointers fall for him tonight. Also, that was Bamba’s first 20-point performance since November 27th against San Diego State in Las Vegas. Only the second time of the season he has scored 20 points for the Ducks.