SACRAMENTO, Calif. — One word best summed up the Oregon men’s basketball team’s feelings after surviving the do-or-die intensity of Saturday’s game.
“Sweet,” senior Anthony Lever said. “That was sweet.”
The Ducks advanced to the prestigious Sweet 16 after beating Wake Forest, 92-87, at Arco Arena in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Oregon next plays Texas on Friday in Madison, Wis., for the right to play in the Elite Eight.
But No. 2 seed Oregon (25-8) first had to get past No. 7 seed Wake Forest (21-13) on Saturday, and that proved to be no easy task. The Demon Deacons jumped out to an early 11-point lead and never relinquished the advantage until less than eight minutes remained in the game.
The Ducks then let their big-three perimeter players take control, much like they had done all game. Oregon’s Luke Jackson, Luke Ridnour and Freddie Jones all came ready to play and scored 81 of the Ducks’ 92 points, which equates to 88 percent of the team’s offensive output. Jackson led the way with 29, Ridnour had a career-high 28 and Jones added 24 points.
“We have a lot of confidence in each other,” Jones said.
Oregon women advance
to Elite Eight of WNIT
After splitting the season series, the Oregon women’s basketball team defeated Oregon State, 50-48, on Sunday at McArthur Court to advance to the third round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
Cathrine Kraayeveld scored a layin with 4.4 seconds left to give the Ducks their margin of victory and set them up with Washington at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Seattle.