Wooten Blocks, Ducks Advance to Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals

The Oregon Ducks’ run to a possible NCAA Tournament berth continues after the big man, Kenny Wooten, delivers another win. Oregon’s next opponent will test the team’s grind to come through as both games went down to the wire with the Ducks falling short both times.

Recap: Ducks rally to defeat Utes, 68-66.

Oregon lives to fight another day in the Pac-12 Tournament as another second-half comeback to defeat Utah in Las Vegas. Elijah Brown shook off an underwhelming performance against the Cougars and led the rally, putting up 21 points to lead the Ducks.

MiKyle McIntosh finished with 18 points and hit the go-ahead three-pointer which proved to be the difference. Payton Pritchard chipped in nine points on the evening.

But the focus revolves around Wooten, who once again became the hero for Oregon. After McIntosh put the Ducks up 68-66, both teams exchanged missed shots, with Utah getting the last chance with under ten seconds to play.

Sedrick Barefield found himself unguarded as he drove the baseline towards the basket. He could have dunked or hit a floater but opted to go underneath the rim and bank the shot off the backboard to tie the contest.

Wooten had other intentions, coming up with another huge block to preserve the lead and the win for the Ducks. In both games of the Pac-12 Tournament for Oregon, the big man is keeping the big dance dreams alive.

Coach Dana Altman improves to 13-2 against Utah since taking over the program, as he saw his team pull out another come from behind victory. Oregon trailed Utah, 30-25, at halftime.

Next up: USC Trojans

Oregon fought hard in both contests during the regular season against USC. With both games coming down to the final minutes, the Ducks just could not find enough answers to put away the Trojans.

The game in Los Angeles stands out as the Ducks left with a bitter taste in their mouths after letting the game get away. Chimezie Metu found himself past the Oregon defense and scored an uncontested lay-in to lift the Trojans over the Ducks, 72-70.

Los Angeles did no favors for Oregon, losing to both USC and UCLA which has put the Ducks in must-win mode. The Pac-12 Tournament title is the only hope for the Ducks to make the NCAA Tournament.

USC earned a first-round bye in the conference tournament and are coming off a 61-48 win over Oregon State.

Tipoff begins at 8:30 p.m. PST with a telecast on FS1.