Game Recap: Bell Leads No. 20 Ducks vs Fresno State, 75-63

EUGENE, Oregon — No. 20 Oregon struggled in a win against Fresno State, 75-63, on Tuesday night from Matthew Knight Arena. Jordan Bell led the way with a game-high 23 points.

With the victory, Oregon extended their school-record home winning streak to 33 games.

Trap game averted. Now, the Ducks can seriously start to focus on their next opponent.

Dillon Brooks, Payton Pritchard, Tyler Dorsey, Dylan Ennis, and Bell drew the start. Chris Boucher shed his walking boot, but remained in street clothes with an ankle injury. Head coach Dana Altman used nine players in his rotation on Tuesday.

Last season, the Ducks squeezed by tourny-bound Fresno State, 78-73, in a tight match-up from MKA in late November. The Bulldogs actually won the Mountain West Tournament on their way to a first-round loss to Utah, 80-69, in the NCAA tournament.

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Oregon was not taking them lightly this time around. Yet, with the Pac-12 season on the horizon, this had all the makings of a trap game.

An 8-2 Bulldog run to start the second half negated a solid Duck first half. Fresno State drew within five points, 47-42, with under 13 minutes remaining in the game.

The stout Mountain West squad actually cut the lead to three, 53-50, with eight minutes. Bell halted the run with a huge alley-oop dunk, plus the foul. It was the closest Fresno State would get on Tuesday.

Poor Oregon 3-point shooting continued. The Ducks offense is stagnant right now. Nobody is really trying to get open, as much as they’re waiting for the openings to occur. The shots will begin to fall consistently, but the movement without the ball needs to be more efficient.

Oregon was 25 of 52 from the floor (48.1). They were dreadful from deep, missing 12 of their 15 attempts. The Ducks missed eight free throws amidst 30 attempts (73.3).

Bell was the lone bright spot with a game-high 23 points. He grabbed eight rebounds, alongside three blocked shots, and an assist. The Ducks looked to Bell often during offensive lulls.

Ennis was solid with 13 points, hitting four of his eight shots on the evening. The senior finished with four boards, three dimes, and three steals.

Three Duck starters failed to reach double figures on Tuesday.

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Casey Benson led the bench mob with seven points, five boards, five assists, and three steals. After beginning the season in the starting five, Benson is providing a boost off the bench in the guard slot.

Ready or not, here come the Bruins. Oregon will have just over a week to prepare for the second-most prolific team in the nation. Happy Holidays!

Next up for the No. 20 Ducks (11-2) is their toughest test of 2016, as No. 2 UCLA (12-0, 1-0 away) comes to town next Wednesday. Tip is set for 8:00 p.m. PCT.

Bruin freshman superstar Lonzo Ball enters the contest averaging 14.3 PPG, 8.7 APG, 5.9 RPG, and 1.6 SPG. It will be the eighth of nine consecutive home games for the Ducks. Oregon is currently 8-0 at MKA this season.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Jordan Bell And One Alley-Oop Slam

Dylan Ennis Plus The Foul

Jordan Bell Finishes Dime From Dylan Ennis

Hammered Home With Authority

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