EUGENE, Ore. — In an exciting matchup on Sunday, Jackson Shelstad led the No. 9 ranked Oregon Ducks to an 83-79 victory over Maryland, contributing 23 points to the team’s success.
Shelstad demonstrated an impressive shooting performance, hitting 8 of 10 attempts from the field, including a flawless five-for-five from beyond the arc, while also securing five rebounds. His teammates also made significant contributions, with Nate Bittle adding 16 points along with six rebounds for Oregon, who now boasts a record of 13 wins and 2 losses, including 2-2 in the Big Ten Conference.
For Maryland, Rodney Rice was the standout player with 19 points, while Derik Queen chipped in with 17 points.
The game saw Maryland take their largest lead of the first half at 30-17 after Selton Miguel completed a three-point play with just over ten minutes remaining. However, Oregon responded with a strong 13-2 run, fueled by Shelstad’s eight points during that stretch, allowing them to close the gap. At halftime, Maryland held a narrow lead of 45-42.
Following the game, the analysis highlighted Maryland’s recent struggles after narrowly missing a spot in the AP Top 25. The Terrapins faced a challenging start to their conference journey out west, suffering defeats against both Washington and Oregon. They will return home to play three of their next four games, beginning with a challenging match against No. 15 ranked UCLA on Friday.
On the other side, Oregon managed to recover from a previous heavy loss to No. 22 ranked Illinois, securing their first home win in the Big Ten. Nevertheless, it is expected that they may drop out of the top 10 rankings before embarking on their upcoming road trip, which includes games against Ohio State and Penn State next week.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred early in the second half when Julian Reese netted a basket to give Maryland a 47-42 advantage. Oregon responded emphatically with a scoring run of 14 consecutive points, culminating in a basket by Keeshawn Barthelemy that pushed them ahead 56-47.
In terms of shooting statistics, Oregon showcased their proficiency at the free-throw line, achieving a remarkable shooting percentage of 87%, successfully converting 13 of 15 attempts.
Looking ahead, Maryland will host UCLA on Friday, while Oregon prepares for a visiting match against Ohio State on Thursday.