EUGENE, Ore. — On Monday night, the Oregon Ducks began their season with a strong performance, defeating UC Riverside with a score of 91-76. Kwame Evans Jr. led the team with an impressive 23 points, while Nate Bittle contributed significantly with 16 points and a commendable 11 rebounds.

The Ducks also benefited from solid performances by their new players; Stanford transfer Brandon Angel added 17 points to the scoreboard, and TJ Bamba, who previously played at Washington State and Villanova, chipped in 12 points along with seven rebounds. Bamba’s jumper, followed by Angel’s successful three-point play, propelled Oregon into a lead they would not relinquish.

As the first half progressed, Jackson Sheldstad made a key three-pointer, and shortly after, Bamba executed a steal leading to a layup, helping Oregon establish a commanding 36-28 advantage with just under six minutes remaining in the half.

UC Riverside’s Barrington Hargress, who was honored as the Big West freshman of the year in the previous season, was the standout player for his team, scoring 20 points. Other contributors included Kaleb Smith with 14 points and Isaiah Moses, who not only scored 13 points but also recorded seven assists. Moses attempted to narrow the gap with a jumper, bringing the score to a seven-point difference midway through the second half.

However, Angel quickly countered by sinking four consecutive free throws and adding a layup during an 8-0 run over the next two minutes, solidifying Oregon’s double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. The Ducks showcased an impressive shooting performance, hitting 50% of their field goals (33 out of 66) and outpacing UC Riverside in free throw attempts by making 19 shots compared to the Highlanders’ total.

Oregon’s decisive start sets a promising tone for the rest of the season as they aim to build on this momentum in the upcoming games.