Oregon Seniors Calliste, Loyd and Moser Lead Ducks Over Arizona 64-57

Mar 8, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller on the side line against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon entered the game with some solid momentum winning their last six games. Arizona has two losses on the season, both games they fell at the buzzer. The Ducks have their first official sellout of the year and it’s Senior Day. The final game for key players this season including Johnathan Loyd, Waverly Austin, Jason Calliste and Mike Moser.

From the start it was all Arizona, who pulled out from the gate with a 9-2 lead before Oregon started to chip away. The Wildcats also led in the first ten minutes with twelve rebounds and three steals. The rest of the first half was a battle that ended with Ben Carter hitting two free throws and Jason Calliste hitting a three point shot with three seconds left in the first half bringing Oregon within two points 31-29.

The second half would start with Arizona on offense. Oregon Senior Mike Moser hit two shots, a two pointer and a three to start the Ducks in the second half and down four with 15:44 left. Arizona Freshman Aaron Gordon picked up his third foul early in the second half. The Ducks then hit a scoring drought going 0-3 on consecutive attempts. The Wildcats hit all three shots on their end extending the lead to eight points.

Moser and Calliste picked the Ducks up with two three point shots out of a timeout again bringing Dana Altman’s team within two and bringing the sellout crowd at Matthew Knight Arena to their feet. Eight minutes later the Ducks were still down four points at 7:51 and the Wildcats picked up their effort on defense. Oregon and Arizona did match up in one area, turnovers with 13 a piece.

Waverly Austin picked up his fourth foul with just over six minutes left in the game and it looked like his stellar performance againt Arizona State would not be a repeat.. Joseph Young finally woke up in the game with a thre point shot again waking up the crowd, with Oregon down 50-48. Johnathan Loyd would tie the game on a layup.

Jason Calliste would hit a two point shot and be fouled giving the Ducks a 53-51 lead with 3:52 to go in the game. Oregon found a way to battle back.12,364 fans were in for quite a finish in Eugene, Out of a timeout Calliste would hit another three point shot extending the Ducks lead to 56-51. Senior Johnathan Loyd would get into the act with a three and the Ducks lead was extended to eight with 2:32 to go.

The Ducks would hit free throws the rest of the way and take down #3 Arizona 64-57. The Oregon Seniors Jason Calliste(18), Johnathan Loyd(16), and Mike Moser(10) led the game in drive vs the Wildcats. The 57 points scored by the Wildcats is the lowest point total in two years. Oregon’s Defense was able to step it up.

Next up for Oregon the Pac-12 Tournament next week.