Instant Recap: Oregon outlasts Maryland 83-79

On Sunday Afternoon, Oregon was back in action, just a few short days after losing by 32 to Illinois. The Ducks and Terrapins both desperately need this bounceback win as Maryland is coming off of a loss at Washington.

Maryland comes into this contest as No. 18 in the NET rankings, and No. 26 in KenPom rankings. Oregon ranks No. 23 in the NET, and just one spot behind Maryland at No. 27 in KenPom rankings. Maryland has played 8 Quad 4 games thus far, going 8-0, and is 1-0 against Quad 3 opponents. Oregon on the other hand has played a combined 6 teams from the Quad 3, and Quad 4 criteria, going 6-0. Maryland’s loss to Washington in one of the two Quad 2 games they have played, going 1-1 in those matchups. Maryland is 1-2 against Quad 1 opponents, beating Ohio State at home, losing to Marquette at home, and losing to Purdue on the road. Oregon is 2-0 against Quad 2 opponents on the season, and 4-2 against Quad 1 opponents. The Ducks have beaten Oregon State on the road, Texas A&M, San Diego State, and Alabama at a neutral site, and then the two losses at home against UCLA and Illinois.

Maryland averages more points on the season than Oregon, averages more rebounds, more assists, steals, blocks, and fewer turnovers. The Terrapins are also shooting a higher percentage on the season from the field, and from 3-pt range. The Ducks are shooting slightly better from the free throw line and come into the game favored by 4.5.

First Half:

Maryland starting: Gillespie, Rice, Miguel, Reese, and Queen. Oregon going with Shelstad, Bamba, Tracey, Angel, and Bittle.

Maryland started with an immediate three pointer from Virginia Tech transfer Rodney Rice and USF transfer hit another three on Maryland’s second possession. Oregon has to be far more focused defensively in this game.

15:33 remains in the first half as we go into a media timeout, Ducks trailing 12-14.

Kwame Evans Jr picks up his second foul already, he heads to the bench with just over 15 minutes to go.

Another media timeout with 11:56 left in the half, Maryland currently on a 9-3 run over the last 2:20. Ducks trail 15-23.

Rodney Rice picks up his second foul for Maryland, potentially significant in this contest. Maryland is currently shooting over 60% from the field and from deep. Oregon is shooting 40% from the field at 12.5% from deep, certainly less than ideal.

Oregon now with 5 straight points forcing Maryland to call a timeout. Still trailing 22-30 with 9:12 left in the first half.

Shelstad hoists and drills a three, game back within 5. Jackson Shelstad with a floater on the last possession and now drills ANOTHER three, Ducks down 30-32. 6:01 left in the first half but Oregon is regaining their focus, just need someone else outside of Shelstad and Bittle to step up.

Shelstad sidesteps to get open for a three and drills another triple. He’s up to 14 points and a perfect 5/5 from the field. Maryland making every look from deep right now, really unfortunate. They lead 41-35 over Oregon with 3:47 left in the half.

Jadrian Tracey buries a triple with 30 seconds left in the half and the Ducks are able to cut the Maryland lead to 3 points. Ducks trail at the end of the first half 42-45, Jackson Shelstad leads all scorers with 14.

First Half Notes:

Maryland is still shooting 19/35 (54.3%) from the field, and 5/12 (41.7%) from deep, which Oregon must put an emphasis on stopping. The Ducks have shot 15/29 (51.7%) from the field, and 6/17 (35.3%) from deep. Oregon has gotten to the line more often than the Terrapins too, and have the same amount of rebounds thus far.

TJ Bamba has again been unable to get anything going offensively, he’s again 0/5 from the floor tonight. He was shooting 36.4% from the field entering this game, and that will continue to drop. Bamba is due for a big game and a resurgence as he’s in the middle of his worst season shooting percentage of his career. His three point percentage is also the worst of his career too, really ugly first 15 games for Bamba after a really solid start.

Second Half:

Keeshawn Barthelemy drills a three and then Jadrian Tracey gets involved defensively to force a jump ball 47-45 Maryland.

Now all tied up at 47 and then Nate Bittle drills a three so the Ducks finally have a lead. 50-47 Ducks up with 17:57 to play.

Ducks are on a 12-0 run over the last 2:30, showing a ton of energy. Make that now a 14-0 run and a timeout is called. Ducks lead 56-47 with 16:01 left in the game, Keeshawn Barthelemy becomes the third Duck in double figures. Tracey is also close to double figures with 7 points.

Jackson Shelstad is THAT GUY, another three pointer. A defensive possession later Keeshawn Barthelemy again fouls Rodney Rice on a three point attempt, which was made. Unreal, Oregon’s lead is cut down to four points.

The Oregon lead has been cut down to only two points with 11:02 to play. The Ducks lead 64-62 after a 10-3 Maryland run over the last 3:28.

Maryland has come back and taken a 3 point lead in the midst of a 17-5 run over the last 6:27. Dana Altman is livid and calls a timeout with 7:54 remaining. A few really bad offensive possessions from Bamba, and Bittle, coupled with a lack of defensive focus.

Huge three pointer from Bam Tracey, cutting the Maryland lead down to 1. 70-71 game Maryland leading with 6:38 to play.

Oregon momentarily took the lead back after a layup from Kwame Evans Jr and then Ja’Kobi Gillepsie immediately makes a corner three to give Maryland the lead right back. Maryland leading 74-72 with 4:52 left in the game.

Kwame Evans Jr knocks down both free throws and the game is tied at 74 with a little over 4 minutes to go. Media timeout now with 3:27 to go and the score remains 74-74, Oregon ball out of the break. It’s worth noting that after turning away Derik Queen, Nate Bittle is limping pretty noticeably.

Incredible finish by Jackson Shelstad puts the Ducks back up 76-74 and the Ducks are on a 9-3 run over the last 4:34. Derik Queen connects on both free throws and the game is tied again at 76. Keeshawn Barthelemy drills a three pointer to give the Ducks the lead right back. Now Bittle connects on both free throws, Ducks up 81-76 with 1:24 remaining.

The true freshman center Derik Queen tries to call a timeout and the Terrapins do not have a timeout, that will be a technical and give the Ducks free throws. Jackson Shelstad makes both free throws and the Ducks win 83-79.

Postgame Notes:

Extremely gritty win from the Ducks tonight, were down for most of the night. The defense definitely improved as the game went on and that is a fantastic sign for the Ducks going forward. Jackson Shelstad with the his first true breakout game this season and some very big buckets down the stretch from Barthelemy and Tracey. I am very worried right now about TJ Bamba, he is shooting the worst percentages of his career from the field, and from three. Oregon will be in action again on Thursday evening against Ohio State.

I’m keeping this brief but here are a few key stats from the win. Shelstad led all scorers with 23 points, Bittle added 16, Keeshawn with 14, and both Kwame and Jadrian Tracey added another 10. Oregon outrebounded Maryland 32-30 which certainly surprised me. Ducks shot 29/56 (51.8%) from the field, 12/28 (42.9%) from three, and 13/15 (86.7%) from the charity stripe. On the losing side, the Terrapins shot 28/59 (47.5%) from the field, 9/21 (42.9%) from three, and 14/19 (73.7%) from the free throw line.