PORTLAND – The men’s basketball team hit a few speed bumps in its first road test of the season, but continued to roll through its preseason schedule undefeated as Oregon (4-0) dominated the second half to defeat the University of Portland Pilots (1-3) 85-61 at the Chiles Center.
Oregon was badly out-rebounded in the half, 22-13, including just one offensive rebound to the Pilots’ 10 offensive boards. The Ducks didn’t have a fast break or second-chance point in the first half, and were outscored in the paint by the Pilots 18-10.
“Our effort wasn’t there, we could have played a lot harder and got some rebounds,” said senior forward Maarty Leunen. “That helps us on the offensive end, to get in a rhythm, and once we make a few stops and get out and start running we’re a pretty fun team to watch … We just didn’t do that in the first half.”
Several players saw increased playing time as the Ducks were without the services of senior guard Bryce Taylor, who bruised a muscle in his right shoulder in practice Thursday. Kent said that Taylor was available for the game but was held out as a precaution and should see action Tuesday at St. Mary’s.
In his absence, Kamyron Brown got the start and took advantage, recording his first career double-double as a Duck with 10 points and 10 assists on the night. Brown recorded 32 minutes of floor time, but said that though he enjoyed the increased playing time, he is eager to see Taylor back on the floor.
“I hope he gets back right away,” said Brown. “He took me under his wing and teaches me everything so it’s kind of hard to have him out right now but I’m filling his role as best I can.”
Other Ducks who saw an increase in playing time Saturday were Churchill Odia and junior transfer Frantz Dorsainvil. Odia went 2-of-3 from the field for five points, and added 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal. Dorsainvil went 3-for-6 for six points along with three rebounds and a steal.
“The most important thing was our bench, I thought they really stepped up,” said coach Ernie Kent. “They did a nice job of buying us some quality minutes.”
Portland (1-3) led 5-0 early on a jumper by sophomore Taishi Ito and a left-corner three by sophomore guard Nik Raivio but Oregon sophomore Tajuan Porter would answer with a three from the top of the key, and the Ducks (4-0) would tied the score on unassisted Brown and Malik Hairston drives to the basket.
The Pilots would lead again by as many as four at 18-14 with 7:30 left in the half, but eight straight by Hairston on two three-pointers and a drive to the hoop would put the Ducks back on top, 24-20.
Hairston would lead all scorers with 24 points on 4-of-8 shooting and was 4-of-6 from three-point range in the game.
Portland tied the score at 29 with under a minute left in the half and freshman guard Brown dished to a cutting Leunen for a driving lay-in as the half ended, giving the Ducks a slim 31-29 lead headed into the break.
Oregon would turn things around quickly in the second half, as a strong move in the post by sophomore forward Joevan Catron, who tallied eight points and eight rebounds as well as a pair of blocks and assists, and a Leunen right-corner three pushed the Duck lead to seven within the first minute. Leunen had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the game.
The lead was 11 by five minutes into the half, and a right wing three by junior Odia pushed the lead to 16 with five minutes remaining in the game. Oregon would hit nine of its 12 free throws in a foul-ridden final five minutes to post the final margin.
“Sometimes it takes a little kick in the mouth or a little kick in the butt to get moving again and we were able to do that,” said Kent. “It’s the first road trip for those new guys and it’s hard for them to understand how it is on the road. Now they get a feel for that and each one of them gets a little tougher.”
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