It was played by Americans. At times it looked like youth ball. And it was hardly classic.
The Oregon men’s basketball team routed Alabama State, 92-52, Thursday night in the Ducks’ season opener, the second game of the America’s Youth Classic at McArthur Court.
The Ducks used accurate shooting at the outset and a barrage of three-pointers at the conclusion to spoil the Hornets’ evening.
“I loved the way our intensity was there for the entire game,” Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said. “I just loved our team spirit.”
Oregon had 15 points on the scoreboard before Alabama State got its first basket, a three-pointer by sophomore Malcolm Campbell eight minutes into the contest. The Ducks increased their lead to 29-7 at the 7:46 mark of the first frame.
Minutes later, with the clock showing 2:55, Oregon sophomore guard Luke Ridnour connected with senior Freddie Jones on a long alley-oop pass that got the crowd on their feet for more reasons than one. The spectacular play also pushed Jones over the 1,000-point mark for his Oregon career, making him the 22nd player in Duck history to achieve that feat.
Oregon entered the half with a 40-22 lead, but it was the Alabama State players who came out of the break fired up. Each time the Hornets scored, though, the Ducks answered back, and kept the gap at 20 points or more.
Midway through the second frame, the Oregon sharpshooters took over. After Ridnour and senior guard Anthony Lever missed back-to-back treys, the two players went back-to-back-to-back on successful threes. With 8:43 left in the game, sophomore guard James Davis started his own long-ball show, and made two consecutive treys.
Davis led all scorers with 18 points, on 6-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Davis never attempted a two-pointer in 18 minutes of floor time.
“I just got in a groove,” Davis said. “I got a lot of opportunities today.”
“He just played a terrific game,” Kent said of Davis.
Overall, Oregon shot 53.6 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point land.
On defense, the Ducks held the Hornets to 35 percent shooting. Oregon ended with five blocked shots, while Alabama State could not swat any of the Ducks’ chances. Oregon forced a remarkable 22 turnovers.
Despite the statistics, Duck forward Robert Johnson said the Ducks will need to improve their defense as the season continues. Johnson was a star of Thursday night’s game, as he netted 14 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
“Right now I’m still developing my role on the team,” Johnson said. “I’m just doing whatever it takes to win.”
Oregon’s game was the second of a doubleheader Thursday night. In the evening’s first contest, Long Beach State defeated Western Michigan, 71-64. The Ducks will take on the Broncos of WMU tonight at 8:15 p.m., while the Hornets will play the 49ers of Long Beach State at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Alabama State will face Western Michigan at 6 p.m., and Oregon will square off with Long Beach State in the nightcap.