Benjamin Scores a Double-Double in Oregon Ducks Win Over Colorado

The Oregon Ducks started the stretch run on Wednesday night with Colorado on one of the final two home games of the regular season. The start for the Ducks was not a usual one down 9-4 in the first four minutes of the game. Dana Altman saw his team with two back to back turnovers that turned into a quick four points for the Buffaloes. Oregon would not go away early.

Joseph Young brought the Ducks back to tie the game at 11, but the referees would not make it easy early for either team. Elgin Cook and Dillon Brooks would get into the act with Brooks having back to back shots along with an inside shot from Cook and another shot, a layin from Brooks to give the Oregon Ducks their largest lead of the game at ten points 25-15 with 6:56 left in the first half.

Oregon extended their lead before the end of the first half as Dwayne Benjamin had a shifty move with the ball behind his back for a layin that landed to give the Ducks a 36-22 lead before the break. Benjamin would add a three pointer giving Oregon a 39-22 lead and the Ducks would have the final shot of the half. It would not fall and Oregon took a 39-22 lead into the locker room.

Oregon would find themselves getting into foul trouble and Colorado would find themselves getting back into the game. With 12:41 to go the Ducks lead was eleven at 49-38. Colorado would cut the Oregon lead to nine points. Colorado would not go away. Askia Booker heated up at the right time for the Buffaloes helping keep his team in the game. The lead would be cut to six with 6:53 to go.

"We approach every game with the same mindset and to get better at practice. Every game is a big game. We want to get into practice, learn their tendencies and come out with a win.Elgin Cook on preparing for Utah on Sunday"

Each team had ten fouls with just under six minutes left and key players with four fouls in the game. Anthony Collier would walk in a two point play to the ire of fans at Matthew Knight Arena calling for travelling. The Buffs were within five points of the lead. Dillon Brooks would hit a key three pointer extending the Ducks lead to 66-58 with 3:09 left.

Colorado stuck around for the better part of the second half, but Oregon held on for the win. At the half it looked like the Ducks were going to roll like they did several weeks ago against Colorado, but this one was closer. Scoring was key and Joseph Young led Oregon with twenty-two points. Overall Oregon had four players in double figures. Dwayne Benjamin had a double double with eleven points and thirteen rebounds, Dillon Brroks added thirteen points and Elgin Cook had thirteen for the Oregon Ducks. As a team, Oregon shot sixty-one percent from the field.

Oregon has one game remaining on the home schedule and it is the biggest of the season on Sunday against ninth ranked Utah. Tipoff is set for Noon.