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Pac-12 Tournament: Oregon Ducks Finish Against Arizona, Face Utah For Pac-12 Championship

By Justin Phillips

March 11, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman celebrates against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Wildcats 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 11, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman celebrates against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Wildcats 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oregon Ducks started fast against the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 Tournament on Friday night, but were pushed to the limit in their biggest win of the season.

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Head Coach Dana Altman watched his team jump out to an early lead against Arizona, but in the final minute, the Arizona Wildcats hit a three point shot and scored 7 points in the final frame to push the Oregon Ducks to overtime. Oregon was not going to give this one up and scored back to back three pointers in the extra period led by Dwayne Benjamin who returned from an injury suffered earlier in the game to knock down a three, followed by Tyler Dorsey. The Ducks would hold off the Wildcats in one of the more epic regulation finishes this season in the Pac 12, even though the game went to overtime.

Four Oregon Ducks scored in double figures led by Elgin Cook who gave Arizona matchup problems all night. Cook had 22 points. Tyler Dorsey and Dillon Brooks finished with 19 and Dwayne Benjamin finished with 12.

The Pac-12 Tournament Championship game will see the Oregon Ducks facing the Utah Utes and the Pac-12 Player of the Year Jakob Poeltl. Both the Ducks and the Utes are highly ranked with Oregon AP ranked 8th, Utah is 12th and as it stands, Oregon holds a one game lead over Utah. A victory for Oregon will keep their hopes alive for a number one seed.

"​I thought Casey Benson was the difference in the game. He didn’t turn it over, did a great job defensively, ​made some open shots. He makes all the right decisions. He just does a great job of doing all the little things right. He’s irreplaceable in my mind.Pac-12 Analyst Kevin O’Neill on the play of Casey Benson"

Have they done enough to deserve it?

I think so. Oregon finished the season 5-5 in the Pac-12, beat Arizona twice – at the McHale Center and on Friday night in the Pac-12 Tournament. They can’t look past Utah who comes in and will certainly challenge the Ducks. The Utes pulled off a four point win over Cal on Friday night to face Dana Altman and the Pac-12 Regular season champions on Saturday.

Jakob Poeltl is averaging 18 points per game and hitting close to 66 percent from the floor this season. While the Arizona Wildcats have been the toast of the Pac-12 Conference the last few years, Oregon will have to finish and not have a let down against Utah. Another fast start would be a benefit. Utah comes in on a  nine game winning streak with their last loss coming….against Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena.

Next: Could a North Carolina Loss Open Door For Oregon?

Oregon and Utah will tipoff at 7pm Pacific Time on Fox Sports 1.

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