Men’s Basketball: Ducks Beat Out Beavers

This past Saturday the Oregon Ducks Basketball team shut out the Oregon State Beavers in a rivalry “Civil War” game that started in 1903.  Before the game, Coach Dana Altman emphasized to his team that they needed to put the pressure on the Beaver defense and try to force turnovers, and then score off of those turnovers.

The Beavers started well on top in the first two minutes and then Duck Forwards, Joevan Catron and E.J. Singler, who has an average of 12 points a game this year with 6 rebounds, took the game over from Oregon State by scoring 3 points shots.  Even though, both of these teams from a statistical standpoint are not too good on shooting.  Oregon shoots 36% in PAC-10 play while the Beavers shoot at 41%

With less than 12 minutes to go both Singler and Freshman J-Loyd did an amazing job and Sims knocks it in for 3, putting pressure on the Beavers so they were not able to develop an offensive rhythm.  Then Catron pulled off a right hand reverse into the hoop, giving the Ducks a continuous lead (26-16). The Ducks tried to run down the clock to halftime and then in stupendous speed Teondre Williams made an amazing 2 handed put back jam off of teammate Jay-R Strowbridge.

The Beavers were not going to go down easily before the halftime buzzer, when OSU Senior Guard Lathen Wallace shot a 3 pointer bringing the Beavers back to life by attacking the Ducks more aggressively and putting them behind the Ducks by eight points at 33-24 at halftime.

After halftime, it was all business for the Beavers.  The Ducks could not produce a point on eight consecutive possessions.  The Beavers were able to take the lead at 40-38.  However, the Ducks were able to push through when Strowbridge was able to lay up six consecutive points.  Mind you the Ducks have had an ongoing problem with regaining the lead with such opposing teams as UCLA and the Washington Huskies.

The Beavers, however, were able to catch up and the score was tied at 48-48.  Then E.J. Singler hit a three with Junior Guard Garret Sim following his lead. Then once again, Strowbridge scored another 3 pointer and the score crept up 57-50.

In the final minute the Beavers fouls and Oregon free throws are what sealed the deal for the Ducks with a final score of 63-59.  After the game Coach Altman praised Strowbridge, “those six points he scored there in a row completely changed the complexion of the game.”

The Ducks have struggles this season but with the win against the Oregon State, Coach Altman remains hopeful, “When you haven’t won a lot of games it takes awhile.” He continued on to say “We’ve gotten better and made a lot of progress since Jan. 1, and hopefully that will continue.”