TUCSON, ARIZONA

DUCKS 59 - WILDCATS 54

A strong game from Paul White, the return of Kenny Wooten, and a strong defense in the opening half proved to be just enough for the Oregon Ducks (11-6, 2-2) to push past the Wildcats (13-5, 4-1) at the McKale Memorial Center.

When the season started, the media chatter surrounding Oregon was understandably focused on Bol Bol and Louis King. And though King is slowly but surely developing into the player Duck fans hoped he’d be, Paul White has quietly become one of the Ducks’ best scorers.

With his game-high 16 points, White has scored double figures for the fifth consecutive game. The senior was especially accurate in the second half where he was 5-of-6 from the floor, including a three pointer with 13:52 left in the second half to go up 39-26, their largest lead of the night.

Victor Bailey Jr, and Louis King helped maintain the fist half lead when the Wildcats began to rally back. Bailey Jr. scored 10 of his 13 points while King and Kenny Wooten had a combined nine rebounds in the first half. King had a strong presence on the floor but ultimately shot poorly, finishing 3-of-11.

Wooten, who had broken his jaw earlier in the season, was able to play earlier than expected thanks to the aid of a mask. Though he didn’t start or light up the scoreboard, his return was certainly recognized on the boards and on defense.

OREGON DUCKS

*Paul White (30 min) 16 PTS - 5 REB - 2 AST - 7/10 FG - 2/3 3PT - 0/2 FT

*Victor Bailey Jr (31 min) 13 PTS - 3 REB - 2 AST - 5/13 FG - 3/5 3PT

*Louis King (31 min) 10 PTS - 9 REB - 3/11 FG - 1/3 3PT - 3/4 FT

*Payton Pritchard (31 min) 8 PTS - 4 REB - 4 AST - 1 BLK - 2 STL - 2/9 FG - 0/2 3PT - 4/4 FT

*Francis Okoro (11 min) 0 PTS - 1 REB - 2 BLK - 0/2 FG

Kenny Wooten (25 min) 5 PTS - 7 REB - 1 AST - 2 BLK - 2/4 FG - 1/2 FT

Ehab Amin (17 min) 5 PTS - 2 REB - 2 AST - 1 BLK - 3 STL - 2/6 FG - 1/4 3PT - 0/1 FT

Will Richardson (19 min) 2 PTS - 1 STL - 1/2 FG

Miles Norris (5 min) 0 PTS - 1 REB - 1 STL

ARIZONA STARTERS

Chase Jeter (31 min) 12 PTS - 10 REB - 1 AST - 1 STL - 5/12 FG - 2/5 FT

Brandon Williams (31 min) 10 PTS - 7 REB - 2 AST - 1 STL - 3/8 FG - 1/4 3PT - 3/3 FT

Brandon Randolph (30 min) 5 PTS - 5 REB - 1 AST - 2/9 FG - 1/4 3PT

Ryan Luther (24 min) 4 PTS - 3 REB - 1 AST - 1 STL - 1/7 FG - 0/5 3PT - 2/2 FT

Justin Coleman (32 min) 3 PTS - 5 REB - 4 AST - 1 STL - 1/4 FG - 1/4 3PT - 0/1 FT

Last week’s game against UCLA saw the Ducks lose in overtime after building a large lead, and after Arizona cut the lead to four with a Brandon Randolph triple with 2:07 left in the game, it appeared another last-second comeback was still on the table.

Fortunately, a late three pointer by Bailey Jr. accompanied by accurate free throw shooting from Pritchard and King sealed the win for the Ducks.

This win may not be as momentous as the 2016 win at Tucson that snapped Arizona’s 49-game homecourt win streak, but it still feels as though it was crucial for the Ducks.

Sure, Arizona may not be the powerhouse of old, but the fact that Oregon has quickly rebounded from the UCLA loss with wins over two conference foes is impressive nonetheless and perhaps a sign of better things to come,

NEXT UP: ARIZONA STATE

1/19, Saturday, 6:30 PM, PAC-12 NETWORK, Tempe

Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports