The Pac-12 has been a wide open conference over the last several seasons. Only Arizona is ranked in the entire conference, and the top is loaded with a log jam of one and two loss teams. Oregon is definitely making a case that they should be ranked as well, with an early season triumph over then #18 UNLV, and a win over the Cornhuskers of Nebraska at home could help make that case.
STORY #1: Oregon Tops Nebraska 60-38
While the Ducks offense did not work as well as it has most of the season thus far, a strong defensive effort was enough to overwhelm the Huskers. Forward Arsalan Kazemi had 10 points and 17 rebounds to go with four steals for the Ducks, and center Tony Woods added 14 as the Ducks held Nebraska to just 30.6 percent shooting. While the Ducks came in averaging 77 points per game, and were held to a season low 27 points in the first half, their defense made up for it, forcing 16 turnovers. Oregon’s leading scorer coming into the game, Damyean Dotson, finished with eight points. Dylan Talley led the Cornhuskers with 11 points.
STORY #2: Oregon State Goes To 7-2; Topples Chicago State 87-77
It is not easy to finish with 87 points as a team, and have only two players in double figures. The Beavers pulled this feat off with Roberto Nelson scoring a career high 34 to lead Oregon State over the Cougars of Chicago State. Devon Collier added 25 for Oregon State as they held off a second half charge from the Cougars. Nate Duhon had 18 points off the bench for Chicago State, and Quinton Pippen, son of former NBA star Scottie Pippen, had 13 as Chicago State fell to 0-6 on the road this season. Cougars leading scorer Jeremy Robinson was held to just two points.
STORY #3 Washington and Washington State Defeat Jackson State Three Days Apart
For a small team, minimizing travel expenses is a high priority. When you travel as much as Jackson State does (with 11 consecutive road games to start the season), keep the cost low is important. Hence why the winless Tigers flew up to face the Washington Huskies on the 13th, and travelled by bus to play Washington State on the 15th. They did not fare well in either contest. Against the Huskies, CJ Wilcox had 21 and Scott Suggs added 17 as the Tigers rallied to within three late in the second half. But Wilcox sealed the game with a timely three pointer to hold off Jackson State, 75-67, lifting Washington to 6-4 on the season. Kelsey Howard had 23 for the Tigers in the loss.
In game two against the Cougars, the offense and defense was entirely dominated by Cougars star center Brock Motum. Motum had 27 points and eight rebounds to lead the Cougars to a 52-41 victory. Again the Tigers held tough, coming to within three with twelve minutes to play. But Motum and Mike Ladd spurred a 14-0 run for the Cougars to seal the game away. Dundrecous Nelson had 13 to lead the Tigers.
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