After allowing the Tigers to stay close for the whole first half, a steal that led to an and-1 3-pointer from Jesse Zarzuela just before the buzzer for halftime ended up being the turning point for the Ducks. Oregon (3-0) was able to utilize a massive second half push to beat Tennessee State (3-1) 92-67.
“We had given them three or four really easy baskets there and the momentum had shifted,” Oreogn head coach Dana Altman said about the Zarzuela four-point play. “It was a four point lead then we got a four-point play to give us an eight point lead. I thought that was a big momentum swing there.”
The Ducks started the game by trading baskets with the Tigers throughout the opening minutes. Nate Bittle got off to a hot start, scoring seven of Oregon’s first 13 points, but the Ducks were unable to create separation early in the game. After being tied at 11 about five minutes into the game, Oregon rattled off a 17-5 run which helped put some distance between the Ducks and Tennessee State.
Oregon took advantage of its size early in the first half, pounding the ball into the paint at every opportunity. Of the first 31 points for the Ducks, 24 came in the paint. Oregon changed its gameplan slightly for the rest of the half, electing for more attempts from deep than shots inside. None of the last 17 first-half points for the Ducks came from inside the paint.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Tigers could not get anything easy against Oregon. The Ducks were able to hold Tennessee State to just 12 points in the paint for the entire first half.
After a poor showing with taking care of the ball in Oregon’s opening game against Georgia, the Ducks recorded their second-straight game in which they were able to limit their turnovers. Oregon, which turned the ball over just twice in its win over Montana, did not record a turnover until there were less than ten seconds left in the first half of the game against Tennessee State.
Despite what felt like a dominating first frame, the Ducks only led the Tigers 48-40 at halftime.
Bittle, who hurt his wrist late in the first half, remained in the locker room to start the second. Jadrian “Bam” Tracey stepped onto the floor to replace Bittle.
Oregon came out of the halftime break playing with purpose. The Ducks immediately jumped on the offensive and outscored Tennessee State 26-13 through the first 10 minutes of the half. The lack of Oregon turnovers meant that the halfcourt defense from the Ducks was on full display. The defense was able to force turnovers from the Tigers and capitalize on the other end. A 27-6 discrepancy in points off turnovers in favor of Oregon was a major factor in the ability of the Ducks to get a big lead in the second half.
“We took away those baskets in transitions better in the second half,” Altman said. “There wasn’t [many] major adjustments, I just thought we took away some of those easy baskets we gave them in the first half.”
After struggling from the field and from the free-throw line to start the season, Oregon was able to play an efficient game. Oregon ranked second last in the Pac-12 in field goal percentage heading into this contest, and last in free throw percentage. However, the Ducks shot an efficient 53.0% from the field and an acceptable 72.2% from the free throw line.
Oregon played much faster in the second half, which led to more turnovers. The Ducks tallied only eight turnovers in the win, but a sloppier second half saw Oregon collect seven in the final frame.
The Ducks benefited from a balanced scoring attack, finishing with no player over 15 points, but five players in double figures. Tracey’s 15 points led all scorers in the game.
“Honestly, I just wanted to come in and give my team some energy,” Tracey said about his ability to come off the bench and contribute after Bittle’s injury. “We have a lot of dudes on our team who can do a lot of things and it can be anybody’s night, and when my number was called I just felt like I was ready.”
Oregon’s next game will come against the Florida A&M Rattlers on the road on Monday Nov. 20.
