PORTLAND – The No. 19 Oregon Ducks earned a 75-64 victory over Utah Saturday, in front of 11,447 at the Rose Garden in the tenth annual Papé Jam.
The game had a slow pace unfamiliar to the high-flying Ducks, marking the first time this season that Oregon has been held to less than 80 points. The Ducks average 89.2 points per game for the season.
The teams combined for just 12 fast break points, while combining to score 66 points in the paint. Oregon held a decisive edge in both, with eight fast break points to Utah’s four and 40 points in the paint to Utah’s 26.
“We really had to grind through the game today. It was a good win to get out of the way, even though we didn’t play our best basketball,” said Oregon coach Ernie Kent. “We came out a little slow in the first half after the nine day break, but I thought we played a little better in the second half.”
Despite losing junior center Luke Neville, who finished with nine points and five boards, early in the first half to foul trouble and later in the game to a bloody nose, Utah kept the game close on a 13 point first half by junior transfer Tyler Kepkay, who would lead all scorers with 23 points in the game.
Utah would lead three times in the first half, and by as many as four points, but a 13-4 run to close the half by Oregon put the Ducks up by five at the break 38-33. The Ducks would hold the lead throughout the second half.
“They are a well-coached, talented team that plays as well together as any team we have faced,” said Utah coach Jim Boylen. “They have five guys who can shoot, five guys who can drive, and five who can pass.”
Senior guard Bryce Taylor led the Ducks with a season-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Tajuan Porter scored 16 points and Joevan Catron led the Ducks on the glass with seven rebounds and added 11 points. Senior Maarty Leunen had 11 points and six boards.
But despite the scoring balance Oregon showed, Boylen seemed most impressed by Porter, who created most of his own shots off the dribble in accumulating his 16 points.
“They have a tough, experienced, veteran team, and then there is Porter who is an x-factor,” said Boylen. “He makes the tough plays. He makes shots that can demoralize your team. You can guard and guard and then he hits you with a tough shot.”
Freshman guard Kamyron Brown continued to be the sixth man for the Ducks, adding six points, four assists and a steal in 22 minutes off the bench. Brown leads the Ducks in assists with 34 so far this season. Porter went as far as to compare Brown to his running mate of last season, Aaron Brooks.
“He’s a very smart player and helps me out a lot in the back court helping take the pressure off. It’s kind of like how me and Aaron (Brooks) were except Kamyron just has less experience right now,” said Porter.
Next the Ducks host Sacramento State, 7 p.m. Tuesday at McArthur Court.
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