Oregon coach Ernie Kent utilized a smaller lineup in the last three minutes of the game to seal the victory for the Ducks.
Kent opted to use a three guard set, even though the Beavers stuck with a larger lineup.
Junior forward Maarty Leunen was the tallest player on the floor for the Ducks at 6-foot-9. Kent also had Tajuan Porter (5-foot-6), Bryce Taylor (6-foot-5), and Aaron Brooks (6-foot) on the court during the pivotal final three minutes of the game.
Kent was confident that the speed and quickness of his three guards would be the difference maker down the stretch.
“We played big even with the small lineup,” Kent said.
This speed and quickness translated into steals and tough defense, which proved to win the game for the Ducks.
“Defense was the key,” Kent said.
Brooks was matched up with Beavers center Kyle Jeffers at one point. Brooks out jumped the 6-foot-9 Jeffers to grab a pivotal rebound that helped cement the Ducks’ victory.
Even Beavers’ star Sasa Cuic noticed the increase in the Ducks speed this year compared to last year’s squad.
“Oregon is a lot faster,” said Cuic after the game.
The Ducks will have to use this strength when going up against faster teams like UCLA and Arizona, entering Pac-10 play.
Cuic’s foul trouble
With only 35 seconds ticked off the clock in the second half, Cuic, Oregon State’s second-leading scorer, picked up his fourth foul.
Because of the foul trouble, Cuic was forced to play softer on both sides of the ball to steer clear of his fifth foul.
Cuic did not play as aggressive on the defensive end and opted to not drive to the basket as much as a result of his foul trouble.
Cuic himself mentioned that the foul trouble did affect his aggressiveness, especially down the stretch.
“It’s always hard playing with foul trouble,” a dejected Cuic said after the game.
Cuic, along with Marcel Jones finished with a game high 16 points for the Beavers.
Other notes
The Beavers were the first team to shoot over 50 percent against the Ducks this season…
Marcel Jones of the Beavers registered his first double-double of the season (16 points, 10 rebounds), seventh of his career…this was the first time that Oregon State has scored over 70 points and lost the game this season…
The Beavers lead the all-time Civil War basketball series 180-146…