Oregon’s coaches and players were certainly aware of it, even if they didn’t say it, last Sunday after the team’s win over Washington.
The ninth-ranked Ducks were an undefeated road trip away from winning their first outright Pac-12 regular season title since 2002. But, given their last road trip, which resulted in consecutive losses to California and Stanford, it was clear that the two games versus UCLA and USC would provide a test.
Oregon passed that test gracefully Saturday, as the Ducks defeated USC, 76-66, three days after dispatching UCLA, 76-68. The wins give Oregon its second outright regular season conference championship title since 1939 and extends the Ducks’ winning streak to five heading into postseason play.
“I’m really happy for the guys,” Oregon head coach Dana Altman said on Oregon IMG networks.
Tyler Dorsey led all scorers with 19, Elgin Cook added 17 points and 12 rebounds and Dwayne Benjamin scored 14 more in the clinching win over USC.
But it wasn’t the smoothest of showings for Oregon. Dillon Brooks and Chris Boucher combined for just eight points and the Ducks began the game shooting 3-of-10 from the field. They trailed by as much as seven just four minutes in, but went on a 24-8 run to establish control of the game heading into the latter part of the first half.
Then, things got weird. The lights shut off at the Galen Center, causing a 20-minute delay with about five minutes remaining in the first half.
“It was an awkward game, that’s for sure,” Altman said.
Oregon pushed its lead to as much as 14 after play resumed, before taking a 44-37 lead into the half.
USC caught the Ducks playing flat footed to begin the second half, though, and went on a 21-9 run to take a 50-48 lead. However, it was lead they wouldn’t cling to for long, and after Dorsey made a pair of free throws to put the Ducks up 54-52, Oregon wouldn’t trail again.
The Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas begins next Wednesday, March 9 and Oregon will enter as the No. 1 seed with a first round bye.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise
Oregon claims Pac-12 regular season championship after defeating USC, 76-66
March 4, 2016
The last time Oregon men’s basketball played California, it was coming off a crushing road defeat to Oregon State. In their Pac-12 opener, the Ducks fell 70-57 to their in-state rivals in convincing fashion. Looking back now, that game served as a wake up call. “Losing to Oregon State was pretty …
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