INDIANAPOLIS — Jackson Shelstad contributed 18 points and TJ Bamba added 17, enabling No. 23 Oregon to secure a 72-59 win over Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament’s second round this Thursday. The Ducks, who improved to a 24-8 record, will advance to face No. 7 Michigan State, the regular-season champions of the Big Ten, in the quarterfinals on Friday, extending their current winning streak to eight games.
Following their second encounter with Oregon in just over a week, Indiana (19-13) now awaits Sunday’s announcement to determine if they will be included in the 68-team lineup for the NCAA Tournament. Malik Reneau was impressive for the Hoosiers, scoring 19 points, while Trey Galloway contributed with 15 points and nine assists.
Oregon surged ahead by scoring the last 10 points of the first half, establishing a 37-29 lead. They solidified their victory with a crucial 9-0 run, distancing themselves to a 65-56 advantage. Indiana struggled to respond effectively to these pivotal moments.
**Game Observations**
*Indiana:* The Hoosiers have put themselves in a strong position to make the NCAA Tournament, though their placement and whether they will have to play in a preliminary game in Dayton, Ohio, now depend on the selection committee’s decisions.
*Oregon:* While the Ducks didn’t win with flair, progression in the tournament is what counts in March, and they have achieved that by moving forward to Friday’s quarterfinals.
**Crucial Moment**
After Indiana narrowed the gap to 56-54 with over seven minutes remaining, they were unable to score for the next five and a half minutes, which proved decisive.
**Key Statistics**
A glaring difference at the free-throw line was evident with Indiana making only half of their ten attempts. Conversely, Oregon’s long-range shooting made a significant difference, hitting eight 3-pointers compared to Indiana’s four.
**Looking Ahead**
Oregon aims to avenge their earlier 86-74 loss to Michigan State on February 8 in East Lansing, Michigan, as the teams meet again in the quarterfinals.
