After winning eight games in a row to gain some momentum in the Pac-12 tournament and most likely securing themselves an NCAA tournament bid, the Ducks couldn’t muster up enough magic as they fell 82-63 to the UCLA Bruins in the second round of the Pac-12 tournament.
Although the Ducks will not repeat as tournament champs, their season is far from over as Oregon is expected to be chosen for the NCAA tournament on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
These two teams met just two weeks ago in Los Angeles and the game proved to be one of the best of the Pac-12 season as UCLA hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to send the game into overtime. However, Oregon prevailed 87-83 in double overtime to continue its wining streak to four at the time.
One of the big reasons the Ducks were able to win that game was because Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams, both Pac-12 first-team selections, didn’t play due to a violation of team rules. @@names checked@@
What a difference they made in the rematch. Anderson totaled 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Adams led one of five Bruins in double figures with 15 points.
Joseph Young did all he could to keep Oregon in the game as he scored 29 points (10-for-18 from the field). He would be the only Duck to score in double figures, though, as Mike Moser was the next leading scorer with eight points. @@name checked@@
The Ducks, apart from Young, struggled from the field as they shot 14-for-37 (38 percent) and only got to the free throw line seven times, 10 including Young.
The Bruins shot a blistering 30-for-53 (57 percent) from the field, including 8-for-16 from beyond the arc.
UCLA came out like a well-rested team, blitzing the Ducks in the first five minutes to take a 13-7 lead after an Adams three-pointer with 14:59 to play in the game. The Ducks fought back and went on a 16-8 run over the next nine minutes to take a 23-21 lead. The lead would be short-lived, though, as Zach LaVine hit a three-pointer on the next possession for the Bruins. @@name checked@@
Oregon responded with a 6-0 run to take a 29-24 lead — its largest for the rest of the game — but all the momentum went to UCLA at the half as they went on a 9-3 run over the final 2:21 to take a 37-35 lead at the break.
The second half was a far different story from the previous 20 minutes as UCLA came out on fire, going on an 18-4 run over the beginning 4:33 to put the score at 53-39.
The Ducks would attempt to battle back but they ran out of fight and were never able to get the deficit within single digits, thus resulting in the 19-point loss.
Oregon will next learn its fate at the NCAA tournament selection show on Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka