EUGENE, Ore. — In a thrilling finish, Jackson Shelstad emerged as a key player for Oregon, scoring eight of his 17 total points in the final 90 seconds. The Ducks ended their game on a 10-0 run, securing a 74-64 victory over Indiana on Tuesday night, marking their sixth consecutive win.
Nate Bittle contributed significantly to Oregon’s performance with 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four blocks. Additional support came from TJ Bamba, who added 13 points to the scoreboard, and Kwame Evans Jr., who chipped in with 10 points.
Leading the charge for Indiana, Trey Galloway scored 16 points, while Oumar Ballo achieved his 10th double-double of the season, contributing 10 points and snagging 12 rebounds. This marked the 44th such accomplishment of Ballo’s career.
With less than two minutes left in the game, Galloway hit a critical 3-pointer to briefly put Indiana ahead 64-63. However, Shelstad countered with a three-pointer from well beyond NBA range, tipping the scales back in Oregon’s favor. Bittle’s strategic steal led to two successful free throws with under a minute remaining, and Shelstad’s proficiency at the foul line, converting five out of six attempts, effectively sealed the win for Oregon.
Oregon struggled somewhat with their shooting, making 39% of their shots from the field and only 24% from three-point territory. However, their success at the free-throw line was a game-changer, making 19 out of 21 attempts compared to Indiana’s 3 of 7.
Prior to this game, Indiana had a strong track record against Oregon, having won their last three encounters. Their previous meeting dated back to December 28, 1978, where Indiana’s current coach, Mike Woodson, dominated the court with 36 points and nine rebounds, leading to a 68-60 Hoosier victory over the Ducks.
Looking forward, Indiana is set to host Ohio State on Saturday, while Oregon will travel to Washington on Sunday to wrap up their regular season games.
