Oregon lost to Arizona by an average of 21 points in their three meetings’ in 2015. Less than 10 minutes into the game Thursday night, it appeared that the latest matchup would follow a similar script.
The Wildcats made 12 of its first 13 shots and were ahead by as much as 13. But, as has been the case multiple times for since Pac-12 play began, Oregon caught fire. Five players scored in double figures and the Ducks turned 19 Arizona turnovers into 21 points on its way to a defining 83-75 win at the McKale Center.
The result snaps Arizona’s 49-game win streak at home and gives the Ducks their ninth win over teams ranked in the top 50 of the RPI, the most of any team in the nation.
Dillon Brooks led Oregon with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Dwayne Benjamin added 15 off the bench. But, it was the Ducks defense outmuscling Arizona’s starting five for much of regulation that played the ultimate difference.
The Ducks allowed just 18 points in the paint and did not surrender a single second chance point. In addition, the 19 forced turnovers cancelled out the fact that the Wildcats shot 61 percent from the field.
On the other end, the Ducks’ committed just six turnovers, their lowest total of the season.
Oregon didn’t relinquish the lead once it grabbed it the second half and went on multiple drawn out runs to improve its lead to as much as 11. Tyler Dorsey scored 12, Elgin Cook added 12 and Chris Boucher scored 10 points to go along with five rebounds. Oregon improves to 17-4 (6-2 Pac-12) with the win, while Arizona drops to 16-5 (4-4 Pac-12).
Oregon’s next matchup will come at Arizona State on Sunday.
Follow Justin Wise on @JustinFWise