Fighting for an edge in a tightly packed Pac-12 Conference, Oregon used timely playmaking from veteran wingmen Devoe Joseph, Garrett Sim and E.J. Singler to pull out a 78-69 victory at home.
Seemingly every time the Ducks faced a dwindling shot clock or crucial possession, one of the team’s reliable upperclassmen was there to save the day with a clutch play. The trio accounted for 26 of Oregon’s 36 points in the first half, and 55 of the team’s 78 points for the game. @@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205335431@@
In the first half, Singler was clearly the focal point of the Ducks’ offense. He hit his first five shots — including three three-pointers — and had 13 points, four rebounds and two assists at intermission.
“E.J. is very consistent,” Oregon head coach Dana Altman said. “If you look at his effort, he doesn’t score like this every game. But his effort, his fight, his competitiveness — he brings it. I never have to worry about whether he’s ready to play or not.”
One thing Altman did have to worry about at the half was sloppy ballhandling. The Ducks had several errant passes and offensive fouls in the first period, allowing Washington State to streak down for easy buckets.
The good news for the Ducks in the second half: The ball would likely find the sure hands of Joseph and Sim.
That approach paid big dividends for the team as Washington State took the game down to the wire. With less than seven minutes remaining and the score tied at 58, Sim and Joseph nailed consecutive three-pointers, giving the Ducks a six-point advantage they would never surrender.
The senior duo combined for only 13 points before halftime, but turned it on to cap the game in impressive fashion. Sim scored 10 points in the second half while Joseph added nine points in the second period. Both players finished with 16 points for the game.
The key to getting open looks for Oregon’s scoring guards late in the game? Crisp passing and trust. The players said they’ve begun to gel more on offense as the pressure builds to make a run late in their Pac-12 slate.
“I think we’re definitely becoming a better team,” Joseph said. “We’re starting to be more cohesive and play better and move the ball better.”
Altman later said, “I was very pleased at times with how we moved the ball offensively in the second half. We did a much better job of handling the ball.”
Singler encapsulated the team’s well-rounded approach more succinctly.

“The whole team is just trying to make plays for each other,” Singler said.
The Ducks will continue to foster a team-first mentality as they prepare for their final five regular season games. With Oregon now sitting 9-4 in the Pac-12, the program has a realistic shot of catching conference leaders Cal (10-3) and Washington (9-3). @@http://www.pac-12.org/SPORTS/BasketballM.aspx@@
“A sweep (this weekend) was very important,” Joseph said. “We needed these games, especially at Washington with them being ahead of us. And this game (against Washington State) just to stay in the race.”
Considering Oregon’s recent hot shooting, turnovers may be the team’s only serious area of concern moving forward. Committing only two turnovers in the second half was a significant factor in beating the Cougars, and Altman knows the Ducks must emphasize ball control as a priority going forward.
“Turnovers lead to easy baskets,” Altman said. “It’s a double-edged problem. Not only do you not get a shot on goal, but they’re usually taking it and laying it in, or you have to guard again. So turnovers — I can’t think of any sport where they’re not really damaging.”