Whoever said they don’t believe in moral victories has never been a part of a college basketball team that has now lost nine straight games.

If the Oregon men’s basketball (8-15,1-11 Big Ten) team didn’t, once again, look for the silver lining after Saturday’s 68-64 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers (19-4, 9-3), they would have gone mad by now. They fell behind 27-18 in the first half, and if they threw their hands up and said who cares, no one would have really blamed them. It’s been that kind of season.

But the Ducks didn’t.

The defense started making plays, and Oregon, led by the return of center Nate Bittle from injury and a strong performance from Takai Simpkins, rallied to lead by one with less than 2:30 remaining in the second half.

Oregon had its opportunities late. Multiple wide-open looks from guard Wei Lin drew iron before a 3-point attempt from Simpkins missed short with over a minute remaining. Even then, the Ducks still hung around — multiple empty possessions following Fletcher Loyer’s eventual game-winning 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Following Loyer’s deep make, Oregon had multiple chances to tie the game late, but 3-pointers from Lin and one from Simpkins all went awry, and the Ducks were left to unsuccessfully play the foul game.

For Oregon, moral victories coupled with the return of Bittle will have to do instead of a truly remarkable win.

Fueled by effort and tenacity, and defense played at an acceptable level for a coach who demands it, fans got a glimpse of what this team was supposed to look like. Active defense fueling easy offense. A star center anchoring it all in the paint. But the wheels fell off late against a team that knows how to win. Oregon left to pick itself off the mat for the ninth-straight time, with a Monday meeting with Indiana the only thing separating the Ducks from a double-digit losing streak.

Bittle was strong in his return, tallying 23 points, most of which came from the charity stripe. But a lack of a consistent threat from deep cost the Ducks late.

Loyer, Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn were Purdue’s protagonists, the trio combining for 43 points on efficient shooting. Loyer was particularly impactful though, adding all of Purdue’s final six points.

Purdue is a surefire tournament team that will likely be seeded in the top three of whatever bracket it is placed in.

“They know what they want every possession, offensively and defensively,” Oregon head coach Dana Altman said. “Just watching them, their experience, their toughness. Matt does such a great job with them.”

The Ducks players, though, have continued to flirt — albeit clumsily — with victories for moments of their recent losses. And they certainly don’t seem like a group to let up, for Altman or themselves.

Oregon fought valiantly and was one shot or a lucky bounce away from winning a game against a team with serious championship hopes. That is worth something, both now and in the long term.

Just not a win. Not on this particular Saturday, and not for some time.