by DSH basketball columnist Brian Mahuna
If you’re a fan of basketball more than likely you have heard the term “Triple Threat”. A player in triple threat position can shoot, pass, or drive. They are the ultimate weapon on the basketball court. Against the Pacific Tigers Friday afternoon, the Ducks faced the type of triple threat that will make any coach pull their hair out. They didn’t play defense, they didn’t rebound, and they didn’t make shots. An entirely different type of triple threat that lead to the Ducks going into half time down by 7.
Johnathan Loyd and Waverly Austin battle for a loose ball with Pacific’s Khalil Kelly in an 85-62 victory Friday night at Matthew Knight Arena (Chris Pietsch, AP photo).
This game was the first of three that the Duck will play this weekend in the Global Sports Hardwood Challenge and right from the tip something seemed off. Pacific found Tony Gill wide open on two early possessions for three pointers. Thanks largely in part to uninspired defensive efforts the Tigers out rebounded the Ducks 25-15 in the first half. But, despite all of the negatives that plagued the Ducks in the first stanza, they went to the locker room facing a very manageable deficit trailing 36-29.
Out of the gate in the second half Coach Altman solidified why he is one of the premier coaches in the Country. Oregon rattled off 20 unanswered points to start the half, holding the Tigers scoreless for the first 7 minutes of the second period. The Ducks finished the game out scoring the Tigers 56-26 in the second half on their way to another rout, winning 85-62.
Player of the Game: Mike Moser
Moser again showed that he possesses a complete game. He knocked down long range daggers, lay ups, drove to the hoop, passed the ball, and rebounded the ball effectively. He etched his name in every important statical category on his way to a game high 19 points, with 4 rebounds, a steal, an assist and a block. He’s the gutty veteran player that can provide a spark in many different ways.
Play of the Game: Loyd Assist to Moser for a fast break three.
Playing alongside Johnathan Loyd, the two have a calming influence over the Ducks with their veteran leadership. That was never more apparent than during a fast break in the first half after a rare defensive stop. Johnathan Loyd was leading the break, took a short peek behind him and notice Moser trailing on the break. Loyd took another dribble then bounced the ball between his legs right into the hands of Moser at the three point line. Loyd deserves more credit than just an assist because after dropping the ball back to Moser he stepped into two defenders, screening them and stopping any chance they would have at contesting Moser’s warm up-like jumper.
Breakout Performances: Damyean Dotson/Jason Calliste
After a season high against Utah Valley Dotson continued his hot streak going a perfect 5-5 from the field, including 2-2 from beyond the arc. He’s really picked up his scoring in the last two games, finding his niche in a potent offense full of scorers. But almost more importantly he is one of the most consistent defenders and rebounders on a Duck team where defense and rebounding are direly needed. He corralled 7 more rebounds and another steal to his season total. Now that his scoring is beginning to pick up again, the sky is the limit for a guy like Dotson. His athletic ability makes him versitile on the defensive end as well as running the floor on the fast break. His shooting stroke is pure and when it’s going in, the ball rarely hits anything. The Only time a Dotson shot touched the rim against Pacific might have been when he had a dunk in transition.
Jason Calliste went to the free throw line 12 more times in the win over the Tigers, knocking in 10 of his attempts. He finished with 15 points and was a menace on the defensive end swiping away three steals. Like Moser and Loyd, Calliste is one of those gritty veteran players that can change a game with attitude alone. When the Ducks were struggling to contain the shifty guards from Pacific, Calliste was inserted to change that an stymied their attack with a combination of aggressive trapping, quick hands, and physical on ball defense. His efforts on the defensive end helped keep the Tiger’s best player Sama Taku well below his team leading scoring average of 17 points per game. Taku was held to just 4 points on an awful 1-9 shooting night thanks largely in part to the hard nosed defense of Calliste.
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