EUGENE, Ore. — The No. 15 ranked Oregon Ducks triumphed over the Washington Huskies with a score of 82-71 on Tuesday evening, thanks to a stellar performance from TJ Bamba, who scored 21 points. Brandon Angel contributed significantly with 15 points, while Supreme Cook also added 13 points to the Ducks’ tally. The team executed an impressive shooting performance, finishing the game with a 51% shooting accuracy from the field. Jackson Shelstad and Keeshawn Barthelemy each posted 11 points, and Nate Bittle excelled on the boards, securing 11 rebounds for Oregon (16-3, 5-3 Big Ten).
On the opposing side, Great Osobor was the standout player for Washington, recording 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Vazoumana Diallo added 18 points for the Huskies, who now stand at 10-9 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
As the game progressed, Osobor managed to tie the score at 62 with just under six minutes remaining. However, Bamba responded with two successful free throws, which were followed by a basket from Angel and an inside score from Cook, enabling the Ducks to take a solid 68-62 lead with 4:10 on the clock. Osobor managed to close the gap to 68-64, but Oregon quickly covered the distance with five consecutive points, ultimately sealing the victory.
Washington has encountered significant challenges in Big Ten competition, now facing five straight losses, all against ranked opponents. The team’s upcoming schedule appears more manageable, featuring the next eight games against teams that are currently outside of the AP Top 25, including three out of four matches to be played at home.
Conversely, the Ducks found relief with this much-needed home victory, especially after struggling with three losses in their first four conference games played on their own court. Remarkably, Oregon boasts an unbeaten 8-0 record in games played away from Matthew Knight Arena, which bodes well for the team as four of its next five matches will be played on the road.
The Ducks regained momentum after trailing 58-55 with 8:26 left in the game, initiating a 5-point run that allowed them to never look back. Bamba’s timely three-pointer tied the game, which was then followed by Angel’s jumper, putting Oregon in the lead at 60-58.
In terms of key statistics, Oregon dominated the boards, out-rebounding Washington 37-24 and collecting 10 offensive rebounds.
Looking ahead, Washington is set to host UCLA on Friday, while Oregon will head to Minnesota on Saturday for their next game.