LOS ANGELES — After leading scorer Dillon Brooks fouled out in the waning minutes of Saturday’s game, Tyler Dorsey stepped up to secure No. 5 Oregon’s 81-70 comeback win over USC at the Galen Center.
Brooks finished with a game-high 21 points, while Dorsey added 19, including a pair of clutch threes down the stretch. Jordan Bell added a double-double (12p, 14r), and Dylan Ennis added 12 points to round out the Ducks’ leading scorers.
Shots weren’t falling right away for the Ducks, who at one point missed 13 of 14 straight field-goal attempts. Instead of continuing to hoist up bricks, the Ducks made a point to get to the rim, which paid major dividends.
Chris Boucher fueled a 17-4 run, flying in for a dunk, before Dorsey capped it with another slam, giving UO a 28-17 lead with 6:02 to go.
Can't stop that. Chris Boucher with the vicious slam. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/tDWQuYTHUJ
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) February 12, 2017
Just as momentum seemed to be by their side, the Ducks quickly saw their substantial lead evaporate. This is the same trend that cost UO a game against No. 10 UCLA on Thursday.
The Trojans began to heat up just as the Ducks turned cold, ending the first half on a 15-7 run to cut the deficit to two, 35-33, going into the break.
EEELIIIIIJAAAAHHHH. #ItTakesATeam #SCSocial https://t.co/nXMYNUG6gz
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 12, 2017
After three clock reviews and 14 total turnovers bogged down the first half, the lack of continuity bled into the second. A sloppy game turned even uglier, as the new period opened with three giveaways between the two sides over the first 45 seconds.
With the rhythm out of whack, the Trojans slowly crept their way past the Ducks.
USC flipped the lead for the first time on back-to-back triples by Elijah Stewart and Jordan McLaughlin, 42-40. The Trojans held steady, stretching their lead to as many as 50-46 on Bennie Boatwright’s three-point play.
Big Game Benny is back and better than ever for @USC_Hoops!
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) February 12, 2017
Watch: https://t.co/YfMNDWtSGW https://t.co/Acz7Dod5FG
The Ducks used that as fuel, ripping off a 16-4 run to push their lead back to eight, 62-54. Boucher stretched the floor in between a pair of Dorsey threes to highlight the burst.
UO appeared the find a groove, but leading rebounder Bell and leading scorer Brooks both picked up their fourth fouls within minutes of the run. Brooks tallied another four points on a tipin and a pair of free throws before fouling out with 3:28 to go.
Dorsey shouldered the load from there, hitting two huge three-pointers in the waning minutes. His second put the Ducks up eight, 76-68, with 1:36 remaining.
Tyler Dorsey. Big time. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/Uen5hTWNLL
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) February 12, 2017
Both sides finished their scoring from the stripe, as the Ducks extended their winning streak over the Trojans to 14.
Chimezie Metu led USC with 16 points, while Boatwright and Stewart added 15 points apiece.
Up next, the Ducks return to Eugene for their final two home games of the regular season. UO welcomes Utah to Matthew Knight Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. PT before hosting Colorado on Saturday, Feb. 18 at noon PT.