Instant Recap: Oregon escapes Washington in OT 80-73

It is finally the end of the regular season, and Oregon has some high hopes for a good run in March this year. First however, they close out the season at Washington, who will not be in the Big Ten Tournament. Facing teams with nothing to lose in the last game of the season certainly isn’t ideal, but this team should be more than capable of closing out the season strong.

Starting Lineups:

Oregon starting Shelstad, Bamba, Barthelemy, Angel, and Bittle. Washington starting Diallo, Mason, Harris, Osobor, and Kepnang.

First Half:

Brandon Angel picks up a foul within the first minute trying to guard Great Osobor. Nate Bittle has 6 points within the first three minutes. Angel with a layup and Washington already forced to call timeout, Ducks lead 10-4 with 17:01 left in the first half. Nate Bittle’s 3-pointer gives him nine early points.

Nate Bittle with a block on one end, then a layup on the other plus the foul. He converts the and-1 and then immediately steals the ball away from Great Osobor. Unreal performance so far.

Ducks leading 20-11 with 12:00 left in the first half, Nate Bittle has 12 points in five minutes played.

Oregon letting Washington hang around here, and that certainly isn’t ideal. Washington has some talent on this team and is capable of upsetting someone. This goes back to the point of Washington being a team with nothing to play for. Oregon leads 25-21 with 7:57 left in the first, Oregon needs someone else other than Nate Bittle to do something on the offensive end.

Ducks now leading 32-26, under 4 to play in the first half. Nate Bittle has 19 points, after that Oregon’s top scorer is Kwame Evans Jr with 4 points.

Oregon heads into the half leading 36-33 over Washington. Nate Bittle is two points from tying his career-high, which is 23 points. In the first half he has 21 of the Ducks’ 36. Someone else must step up or Oregon could find themselves in a dangerous spot.

First Half Stats:

So far, the Ducks are winning the rebound battle 20-10, but have 3 more turnovers than the Huskies. Jackson Shelstad with another extremely quiet first half, he has 2 points on 1/3 shooting. Kwame Evans Jr has been on a tear recently, he has 4 points, 7 rebounds, and an assist. Zoom Diallo is torching Oregon right now with 13 points, and his career high is 20 points. Diallo scored 18 against Oregon in Eugene in the last matchup.

Second Half:

Less than two minutes into the second half, Nate Bittle has a new career-high, with 26 points.

Ducks really playing poorly and Shelstad is just off at the moment. Ducks still hold a 43-40 lead but Washington is definitely playing like the better team.

Kwame Evans Jr hits a huge corner three, giving the Ducks a 5 point lead, but Washington immediately nails a three of their own. Tyler Harris drains a three and the Ducks now trail by a point. This team is so incredibly frustrating.

Nate Bittle hits a massive three, and now has 31 in the game. Ducks are back ahead 53-51 with 9:52. Keeshawn Barthelemy now connecting on a 3-pointer, Oregon up 56-51.

Washington has regained the lead after the Mekhi Mason 3-pointer. Ducks trail 58-59 with 5:38 to play. Nobody other than Bittle, Kwame, and Keeshawn has done anything on offense. Oregon hasn’t made a shot in nearly 4 minutes. Tyler Harris picks up his 4th foul on the Bamba drive, and Bamba knots the game up at 59.

TJ Bamba drives again and is fouled, this time by Zoom Diallo, who has picked up his 3rd. Bamba able to make both, Ducks lead 61-59.

Keeshawn Barthelemy yet again with a huge shot, Ducks lead 64-61 with 3:58 to play. Barthelemy up to 12 points in the game, first team field goal in 5:27.

Bamba is called for his 4th foul after Great Osobor flops on a TJ Bamba drive attempt. Washington call timeout with 1:37 remaining, Oregon ahead 66-65. Great Osobor gives Washington the lead again, but Nate Bittle answers back with a bucket of his own. Bittle now has 35 points in this one, up by 1. Osobor yet again drives and then is fouled by Nate Bittle, his 4th. 1/2 fall for Osobor and the game is tied at 68 with 40 seconds to play.

Evans is fouled by Osobor down low and he heads to the line. Kwame misses both free throws and Washington controls this game. Washington gets a timeout with 22.7 remaining. Osobor’s game-winner attempt is denied by Kwame Evans Jr and we head to overtime.

Overtime:

Zoom Diallo picks up his fourth foul, and Bamba knocks makes 1 of 2 FTs. Ducks up 73-68, timeout Washington with 2:58 to play.

Jackson Shelstad misses a 3-pointer, but Kwame Evans is able to get the offensive rebound. Evans puts the shot up and Great Osobor is called for Goaltending, Kwame has his first career Double-Double. Oregon leads by 5, 75-70 with 2:00 to go. TJ Bamba has picked up his fifth foul and he is done for the game.

Beautiful cut from Jadrian Tracey and Bittle finds him for the reverse layup. Mekhi Mason tries to fire a quick 3-pointer and is denied by Kwame Evans, his second block of the afternoon. Altman calls timeout with 1:18 to play.

Great Osobor has picked up his 4th foul, sending Shelstad to the line. Jackson Shelstad misses both, but the Ducks get the offensive rebound from Jadrian Tracey. Great Osobor is called for his 5th foul, and is now done. Nate Bittle hits 1/2 FTs, and has 36 points for the game. Ducks leading 78-71 with under a minute to play.

Jadrian Tracey now misses both FTs and Washington gets a quick layup, the Ducks aren’t out of this one quiet yet. Keeshawn Barthelemy is fouled and heads to the line. Barthelemy makes both, and Washington is unable to make a 3-pointer. Oregon survives in Seattle in Overtime, 80-73. Rematch with Indiana awaits the Ducks in Indianapolis on Thursday.