by DSH contributing writer Eric Sloat
There is still life for the Oregon basketball team, after dropping two games in the desert by 2 points each, the Ducks stood at 3-8 in conference play with 7 games left, first up was Oregon State. The way this game started it seemed like it was November. Oregon was flying around on offense and defense; from an 11-10 Oregon lead at the 15:59 mark, Oregon went on a 17-0 run, and would enjoy their biggest lead of the game, 31-12, with 9:36 to go in the first half. During the run, the Ducks were 6-6 on 3’s, Young, and Caliste both hitting 2 of 2 from deep, Moser connected on 3 for the game, one for the Ducks’ first points in the game, and twice more during the onslaught.
The defense was just as impressive as Oregon State could never get into their offense, the conference’s leading scorer, Robert Nelson barely got touches. Eric Moreland was the one Beaver who was having any luck at all getting to the basket, getting 5 of the first 12 points for Oregon State. The Ducks cooled off a bit at the end of the first half, but still held a 10 point advantage at the break, 45-35.
Young gun: Joseph Young puts a punctuation mark on an athletic, dominating victory with a dunk late in the second half (Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports images).
Nelson scored the first two points of the second half, but Waverly Austin was good from 18 to match it for the Ducks. Three different Ducks combined for the next 9 points and Oregon was up 11, 56-45. Oregon’s passing was as good as it has been all season, finishing with 18 assists on 31 made field goals. The Ducks were still in control of the game; the opening five minutes of the second half had gone by and the Ducks had actually increased the halftime lead by one. But in the next seven minutes, Oregon State went on a 16-7 run to pull within two, 63-61. Oregon fans started thinking, could it happen again? But, in the play of the game, Joe Young drove the ball hard to the basket, made the shot, and canned the free throw, pushing the lead back to five, 66-61. Oregon State got within two again at 72-70, but Oregon responded with nine straight to make it 79-70. The rest of the game saw Oregon regaining control, pushing the lead out to as much as 13, 87-74, before finally nailing it down, 93-73.
This was the most complete game Oregon has played during the conference season; and it’s the way they have to the rest of the way; without a Big they must be fast and in constant motion at both ends of the court. The Ducks put themselves at a complete disadvantage when it sets up on offense, and when the opponent is allowed to work the ball inside. In this game, Oregon played it fast, but they weren’t careless, committing only 6 turnovers, forcing the Beavers into nine. Five Ducks finished in double figures, Young leading with 25. In the last two games in the dessert, and then two other losses by two, the other teams made the big plays at the end of the games. This time, the Ducks got off to a great start, stood even with the Beavers when they made a run, and controlled the game at the end.
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