EUGENE, Oregon — No. 23 Oregon sailed past Western Oregon, 93-54, on Wednesday night from Matthew Knight Arena. Dillon Brooks led all scorers with a season-high 21 points. The Division II Wolves move their record to 3-4 after the loss.
Oregon could’ve started all freshman on Wednesday, it wouldn’t have mattered much. The Ducks entered the locker room at halftime leading by nearly 30 points, 48-20.
The Ducks hammered home eight of their 23 attempts from 3-point territory (34 percent). Oregon shot 47 percent from the field. They finished at 82 percent from the charity stripe.
A game like this is on the schedule to simply boost confidence. Dana Altman and company needed an easy one, and they got it.
The head man made one change to his starting unit from the Boise State game. Payton Pritchard, Tyler Dorsey, Dylan Ennis and Chris Boucher were the regulars. Kavell Bigby-Williams drew his first career start with the Ducks.
“It's kind of the way it worked out,” said Altman. “When we got the early lead, I decided to play everybody equal minutes, so it really wasn't my plan going in.”
Jordan Bell moved to the bench to get KBW an extended run against a lesser opponent. Yet, Bell started the second half.
"Kavell obviously can help us on the boards, a place where we need help," Altman stated. "I thought there were some positives."
Dillon Brooks came off the bench once again. The Mississauga, Ontario native started the second half for Oregon with Bell.
Altman’s crew started the game on a 12-2 run. They opened the second half on a 10-0 run. Western Oregon was playing matador defense, as Duck players drove to the rim at will.
Oregon justifiably embarrassed the Wolves on the glass. The Ducks won the rebound advantage, 52-28.
Boucher, Brooks and Roman Sorkin had eight points each in the first half.
Brooks drilled three of his first four shots from the floor, including both of his free throw attempts. The forward is starting to find his rhythm. He finished with a season-high 21 points. His previous high was 17 against Tennessee at the Maui Invite.
The Canadian also dished out two assists, grabbed two boards, and stole the ball once.
Shot chart for Oregon (left) and Dillon Brooks (right) on Wednesday night vs Western Oregon:
Boucher concluded with 14 points, eight boards, three blocks, and two assists.
His partner down low, Bell, amassed 12 rebounds, eight points, two blocks, and an assist coming off the bench. His replacement, Bigby-Williams, grabbed 10 boards, alongside five points and three blocks. Oregon finished with 10 blocks as a team, yet again.
Dorsey continued his solid scoring with 12 points on 50 percent from the floor. He also grabbed four boards. The sophomore nailed two of his five attempts from deep.
Sorkin is a much-needed asset off the bench. He illustrated his efficiency with 15 points on six total shots. He made five of his six attempts, including all three attempts from downtown. The junior had three rebounds, two assists, and a block.
The freshman from Seattle, Keith Smith, scored two points. He added three boards, two steals, an assist, and a block.
Altman spoke earlier in the week about opening up his rotation to more bodies. He was a man of his word, playing 11 Ducks on Wednesday. Senior Charlie Noebel made his first appearance since the Valparaiso game.
Next up for the No. 23 Ducks (6-2) is Savannah State (2-6) on Saturday afternoon from MKA. Tip is set for 3:00 p.m. PCT against the Tigers. It will be the third of nine consecutive home games for the Ducks. Oregon is currently 4-0 at home.
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