Another losing streak has come to an end.
Behind a gritty, low-scoring effort, the Ducks pulled out a 54-44 win against the USC Trojans to end a five-game losing streak Thursday night in Los Angeles.
“It’s too bad this game wasn’t on TV, because this team played very, very well,” head coach Ernie Kent said after the game.
Led by 16 points from senior Tajuan Porter over 40 minutes, Oregon erased a nine-point halftime deficit. Porter also added three rebounds, three assists and four steals in what Kent says is one of Porter’s best games as a Duck.
“This is the best leadership game I’ve seen since he’s been at the University of Oregon,” Kent said. “He’s been through a lot, and I’m just happy for him to play well in this game.”
It took some perseverance, as both teams couldn’t buy a basket down the stretch. Sophomore LeKendric Longmire, who finished with 13 points, hit a layup with 5:13 left to give Oregon a 47-44 lead. It remained there until 54 seconds left in the game when Porter hit a three-pointer to give the Ducks a six-point lead.
“Once the ball is in my hand, it’s up to me,” Porter said of hitting the big shot. “But it’s no pressure; I’ve done this my whole career here.”
The Trojans didn’t score over the last 6:19 of the game, missing three after three that would have tied the game. The Trojans were 0-for-13 from behind the arc in the second half. Marcus Johnson led the team in scoring with 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting.
“We got them to cough it up and we took care of the ball,” Kent said of his team that forced the Trojans into 18 turnovers. “Then we just got out and ran them and spread them out.”
“We played great defense,” Porter added. “The ball was just not falling. But once it does, we make a couple of plays and run away with it.”
In the first half, the Trojans held Oregon scoreless for the first 4:05 of the game. It looked like much of the same for the Ducks, who have struggled from the field all season. Then USC forward Leonard Washington hit a layup with 14:16 to push the lead to 12-4, and by 4:32 left in the first half the Trojan lead had ballooned to 31-19.
Oregon continued to shoot poorly, allowing the Trojans to rack up 24 first-half rebounds, and hold the Ducks to 32 percent from the field. It helped USC to a 32-23 halftime lead.
Oregon’s 23 first-half points didn’t bode well for the team. Porter hit just three of his eight shots for eight points in the first half. Sophomore Malcolm Armstead was just as ineffective, making two of seven shots with three turnovers.
But in the end, a win is a win, Kent said. The Ducks found a way to win, and now they can hope to continue the momentum against UCLA on Saturday.
“I’m real proud of this team,” said Kent.
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Porter guides Ducks to rare victory
Daily Emerald
February 25, 2010
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