EUGENE, Ore. — In a thrilling contest on Tuesday night, Oregon managed to overcome a 13-point deficit in the second half to secure an 80-70 victory over Portland in overtime. Jadrian Tracey was a standout performer for the Ducks, scoring a total of 19 points.
Oregon found itself trailing 54-41 with just eight minutes remaining in the second half, and things looked bleak as they remained down by 11 points with less than five minutes on the clock. However, a layup from Tracey sparked a comeback, followed by consecutive three-pointers from Keeshawn Barthelemy that narrowed the margin to just three points at 60-57 with three minutes to play.
As the game wound down, Chris Austin netted two free throws to put Portland ahead 67-62 with only 35.6 seconds left. But Barthelemy quickly responded with a three-pointer, closing the gap. Portland then had a chance to extend their lead but missed two critical free throws and turned the ball over while trying to secure a defensive rebound. Barthelemy seized the opportunity by retrieving the loose ball and assisting Tracey for a layup that tied the game at 67-67 with just over 10 seconds remaining.
Carrying their momentum into overtime, Oregon took control as Tracey scored the first three points and added a dunk, marking the Ducks’ first lead since the first half. The turning point came when Austin’s layup extended the Pilot’s lead to 65-59 before they struggled offensively, missing six shots and committing three turnovers during the crucial final minutes.
Oregon had three other players contributing significantly to the score, with Jackson Shelstad, Nate Bittle, and Barthelemy each scoring 13 points. Additionally, TJ Bamba scored 10 points, and Shelstad demonstrated his versatility by adding 10 rebounds.
On the opposing side, Portland was led by Vukasin Masic and Vincent Delano, who each scored 12 points. Austin contributed 11 points, while Todd Jones chipped in with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Pilots had a promising start to the game, sprinting to a 12-3 scoring run midway through the first half, ultimately leading 31-23 at halftime. They finished the game shooting 43% overall but struggled in the second half, managing just 37%.
In a contrasting performance, the Ducks drastically improved in the second half, shooting 53% although they continued to struggle from beyond the arc, finishing just 7 of 31 (23%). Conversely, Portland had a more productive night from three-point range, converting 6 of 12 attempts but faltered in overtime, missing all five of their attempts from deep.
This dynamic back-and-forth contest not only showcased Oregon’s resilience but also highlighted the challenges faced by Portland, setting the stage for an exciting season for both teams.