Late Push Lifts Arizona Over Oregon in Tucson

The Oregon Ducks (12-6, 2-3) could not find enough offense in Tucson, falling to the No. 17 Arizona Wildcats (14-4, 4-1), 90-83.

Back and forth the teams went in final ten minutes of play. Oregon once again showed resiliency in not letting the McKale Center atmosphere in coming away with another upset victory. The Ducks were looking to leave the state of Arizona with two resume-boosting wins.

Elijah Brown went 6-10 from three-point range as he kept Oregon in the game and finished with 25 points. Payton Pritchard shook off the rust from a slow start and finished with 12 points.

Unfortunately, the Ducks could not muster enough offense as the Wildcats made a late offensive run to seal the win. Despite having four fouls, Deandre Ayton remained in the game as his physical frame proved pivotal in the Wildcats’ win. Ayton finished with 24 points.

Allonzo’s Trier opted to return for another season at Arizona, and his leadership stood out in the game. Trier led the Wildcats with 25 points to help put the game away.

A 10-2 run to begin the second half built an 11-point lead for Arizona as Oregon got into foul trouble early.

Ayton got into foul trouble in the second quarter, getting his third foul seven minutes into the final frame. He received a technical for taunting after finishing a dunk.

Ayton’s technical foul allowed the Ducks to chip away the lead and tie the game. 55-55, just before the halfway mark of the second quarter. Arizona tried to build an advantage, but Oregon kept responding to remain close.

Forward, MiKyle McIntosh played a massive role for the Ducks with his offense and defense. He finished with 20 points and had two blocks which sparked the Ducks offensively.

Arizona got off to a fast start against Oregon, building a lead of at least 10-plus points. Ayton and Dusan Ristic each scored 10 points apiece to pace the Wildcat offense. Allonzo Trier had nine points.

The Ducks did not let the deficit affect their play and responded with a 12-0 run to cut the Wildcats lead. The Wildcats went cold from the floor as the Ducks took advantage. Ball control became an issue as Arizona committed 11 turnovers.

Elijah Brown found his shooting touch behind the arc, going 3-5, and finishing with 13 points in the first half. Emotions were running high late in the first quarter as Brown received a technical after being fouled going to the rim.

The Wildcats took a 41-38 lead into the break but not after a feisty outburst by Arizona coach, Sean Miller. Arizona turned over the ball with under a minute in the half but appeared the Ducks’ McIntosh last touched the ball. The referees opted not to review the play, leaving Coach Miller frustrated at the break.

Both teams will meet again in Eugene on February 24 for the rematch.

Oregon returns to Eugene to open a three-game homestand beginning with the Los Angeles schools. USC will be up first on Thursday with tip-off at 6:00 p.m. with a telecast on ESPN 2.