The Ducks snapped their four-game conference losing streak Saturday afternoon, pulling away from the Beavers over the final eight minutes to get back in the win column with a 79-63 victory in front of 9,087 at McArthur Court.
The win marked No. 15 in a row for Oregon (13-8, 4-5 Pac-10) over Oregon State at Mac Court, and was the Beavers’ ninth-straight conference loss. “I don’t think their record does them justice,” said senior guard Malik Hairston. “They’re athletic, big and talented.” Oregon State (6-15, 0-9 Pac-10) pulled to within one point at 57-56 with 8:16 left in the game, but the Ducks would outscore the Beavers 22-7 over the final eight minutes thanks in large part to the clutch shooting of sophomore guard Tajuan Porter, who looks to have finally gotten his stroke back from beyond the three point arc. “I just try to take good shots,” said Porter. “I’ve been in the gym taking extra shots, and they went in for me today.”
Porter led all scorers in the game with 23 points, 16 in the second half, while adding five rebounds and an assist. “Tajuan stepped up and hit those back-breaking shots he’s known for,” said senior guard Bryce Taylor. Taylor was next in scoring for the Ducks with 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Hairston led Oregon on the boards with 10 rebounds, while chipping in eight points, five assists and a pair of blocks.