STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — In a thrilling matchup, Jackson Shelstad scored 17 points while Keeshawn Barthelemy contributed 15, and Jadrian Tracey added 13 as the No. 15 Oregon Ducks secured a narrow victory over Penn State, finishing with an 82-81 scoreline on Sunday.

Nate Bittle chipped in 11 points, and both TJ Bamba and Kwame Evans Jr. contributed 10 points each for the Ducks (15-2, 4-2 Big Ten). Despite being behind for a significant portion of the second half, Oregon managed to reclaim the lead during the game’s final minute.

With just over a minute remaining, the score was tied at 78. Shelstad then nailed a crucial midrange jumper, giving Oregon a two-point edge with only 47 seconds left on the clock. Penn State’s Nick Kern attempted a layup on the next possession but missed, allowing Oregon to seize control of the ball. After drawing a foul, Tracey sealed the win for the Ducks by converting two free throws.

Freddie Dilione V led the Nittany Lions (12-5, 2-4) with a career-high 21 points, while Nick Kern came up with 19, and Puff Johnson scored 15. This loss marked the third consecutive defeat for Penn State.

Key Observations:

For Oregon, the Ducks had an initial 41-34 lead at halftime, but they struggled at the start of the second half. Nevertheless, they were able to make critical shots at decisive moments to secure their third consecutive win.

On the other hand, Penn State was missing key player Ace Baldwin Jr., who is sidelined due to a back injury sustained during a recent 91-52 defeat against No. 13 Illinois. The Nittany Lions will need Baldwin back in order to break free from their current losing streak, which includes defeats to two AP Top 25 teams.

Notable Statistic:

In the first half, the Ducks were efficient, making 5 of 11 three-point attempts, but their shooting beyond the arc dipped in the second half as they went only 3-for-11.

Looking Ahead:
Next for Oregon, they will host No. 20 Purdue on Saturday, while Penn State is set to face No. 16 Michigan State on Wednesday.