Oregon Ends Season with NIT Loss at Marquette

Oregon’s season came to a disappointing end with a second-round loss to the Marquette Golden Eagles. The Ducks (23-13) could not mount any comeback as the Golden Eagles put up a season-high in points to win, 101-92.

Marquette led by 25 points entering the fourth quarter and kept Oregon from attempting any chance to get back in the contest. Andrew Rowsey led the Golden Eagles with 29 points, and Markus Howard added 18 points.

The Golden Eagles built their lead in the first half, shooting 57 percent from the floor. Marquette led 58-38 at halftime, the most points the Duck have allowed in the first half this season.

MiKyle McIntosh scored 25 points and went 15 of 18 from the free-throw line. Paul White had a career-high 19 points. Payton Pritchard finished with 16 points.

Offensively, the Ducks’ significant contributors, Pritchard, Elijah Brown, and Troy Brown, could not find any momentum. Without the three making an impact in the game, the Ducks have been flat out inconsistent on offense.

For Oregon, winning the NIT was not out of the question. But given how consistently inconsistent the team played throughout Pac-12 play, a run did appear to be realistic.

If Oregon won against Marquette, the Ducks would be hosting Penn State at Matthew Knight Arena in the NIT quarterfinals. Instead, the Golden Eagles will be entertaining.

Plenty of flaws were seen this season for the Ducks in a transition year after the departures of Dillon Brooks, Jordan Bell, and Tyler Dorsey. Brown may have played his last game in an Oregon uniform as the freshman may declare for the NBA Draft this year.

A bright future is in store next season as a talented freshmen class is bound to get the Ducks back into the NCAA Tournament.

For now, time to watch Kelly Graves and Oregon Women’s Basketball make a run in the tournament.