The Ducks (13-3, 4-0 Pac-12) took their undefeated conference record into an excited Matthew Knight Arena to battle the California Golden Bears (6-11, 2-4 Pac-12), who came into Saturday winning their last two conference games.
Early on in the contest, it looked like it could be a Cal blowout. Jermaine Couisnard led the Ducks back into it with 18 points and fueled an electric comeback and statement win.
“They scored 41 in the first 15 minutes and they scored 32 in the next 25,” explained head coach Dana Altman.
The Bears started very aggressive on defense, chasing Oregon’s shooters off the perimeter. So, the Ducks had a difficult time getting good looks early on.
With just over 14 minutes left, Oregon’s leader and star center N’Faly Dante returned after injuring his hamstring in the first game of the season. He announced his return with an emphatic dunk directly in front of the student section, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Dante followed that play up with a powerful post move and layup, and for the first time this season, a sigh of relief could be felt in Eugene. While he would be on a minutes restriction Saturday, the mere presence of him on the court felt tremendously reassuring.
“He hasn’t done anything for eight months, so conditioning is behind,” said Altman. “He’s got a long way to go.”
As the first half ran its course, the Ducks had a difficult time bottling Cal’s offense due to stars Jaylon Tyson and Jalen Cone getting hot. Cal also did a great job chasing shooters away from their spots, causing sloppy offense.
The Bears led almost the entire first half behind 14 points from center Fardaws Aimaq, who was getting anything he wanted in the paint, opening up shots around the perimeter for his teammates. Cal led by as much as 18 during the opening period.
Towards the end of the half, however, the Ducks found life. They started hitting key shots and took a 16-2 run in the last three and a half minutes to make it a 43-39 Golden Bears’ lead at halftime.
Oregon needed to find a way to get stops and it was getting them in droves in the last five minutes of the first. Carrying this momentum into the second half looked to be crucial entering what was billing up to be a close battle.
The Ducks opened the second half carrying the same defensive intensity that helped give them all of the momentum at the end of the first. They also kept up their hot shooting, which was essential to keeping the crowd involved.
Oregon took its first lead since it led 6-5 about five minutes into the second half, 46-45. At this point, the Ducks looked to be in firm control of the game with Cal finding a lot of difficulty hitting shots and finding gaps in Oregon’s defense.
Oregon started getting considerably more help off the bench in the second, with Keeshawn Barthelemy picking up playmaking duties and Kario Oquendo, who shoots above 40% from deep, stepping up and hitting key 3-pointers.
Barthelemy was running the offense flawlessly and seemed to create a bucket just about every time he took the ball up the floor.
“I feel like we have seven, eight, nine starters who go out there and play, and it could be anybody’s night to step up,” said forward Jadrian Tracey.
Oquendo also evoked the loudest crowd reaction of the night after he posterized two of Cal’s defenders for an and-one.
The Ducks got major support from Tracey tonight, whose hot shooting and physical play took a major load off of the starting unit. Tracey finished with 14 points on 6-8 shooting and four rebounds.
Mahamadou Diawara also continually gave the Ducks a boost, especially on defense, finishing second in the game in plus/minus with 20, behind Tracey’s 21.
“I thought Mo played really good tonight,” said Altman. “It was a big lift for us.”
Cal fought hard and stuck around for most of the second half, but the Ducks were extremely hard to stop once they got going.
As the clock wound down, Oregon’s lead grew and Cal started intentionally fouling and the game drew to a close. In a game where Cal led by 18, the Ducks rode their hot shooting and aggressive defense to a 80-73 win.
