On a night when Oregon never seemed to get a rhythm going, they dug down deep and found a way to hold off stubborn Arizona State last night at Matthew Knight Arena, 68-65. The Ducks won primarily by hitting 7 of 8 free throws in the final 58 seconds.
With the win, the Ducks improved to a 14-2 overall record, and are 3-0 in the Pac-12.
Three nights after upsetting unbeaten Arizona in perhaps Oregon’s finest effort of the season, the Ducks came out flat and uninspired against ASU. The Sun Devils entered the contest with a 14-2 record, 3-0 in conference, and managed to wrest the tempo away from the Ducks by playing a physical, contest-every-drive, contest-every-shot, type of defense.
A relieved Coach Altman said following the game, “In a 31-32 game season, you’re going to have a few of these kind of games. I was very pleased we found a way to win on a night we weren’t very sharp.”
He added, “ASU is very good at taking you out of rhythm. They kind of muck it up a little bit. They try to slow things down and they definitely got the pace they wanted.”
© 2013 Craig Strobeck Photography
Despite the physical play and the determined ASU effort, the Ducks won because they managed to out-rebound the Devils (by eight boards in the final 10 minutes), and they excelled at the free throw line. Four Duck seniors hit free throws in the final minute of play to keep the game out of reach for ASU.
Altman said, “There weren’t very many free throws shot until they put us at the line late. Arsalan hit a pair. Tony hit a pair. Carlos hit a pair, and E.J. hit one of two. I was pleased with how our free throw shooters stepped up on a night when we weren’t very sharp.” Oregon was 14 of 15 for the game from the charity stripe.
The Ducks went on a 7-2 run in the final three minutes of the first half to take a four-point lead into halftime, 32-28. Neither team shot the ball well early and a very deliberate ASU team took the most they could of the shot clock on many of their possessions.
Despite not shooting well overall, Altman was pleased with the continued improvement in the Duck three-point shooting game. He said, “We’re taking better threes. Two misses were actually thrown up at the end of the shot clock. We were actually six of nine off really good looks.”
For the Ducks, Carlos Emory continued to produce at a high level. He scored 14 points on 5 of 7 from the field and pulled down eight rebounds. Stepping to the free throw line for the first time all night with 13 seconds left, he drained both shots to put the Ducks up by five.
Emory said, “It’s free throws after free throws in practice. I kind of just hit the free throws that we needed.”
© 2013 Craig Strobeck Photography
The Ducks once again had four players in double figures, and three with 14 points. In addition to Emory, Tony Woods and Damyean Dotson also had 14. Dominic Artis scored 10 points and contributed three assists and two steals.
“I like our balance,” Altman said. “It gives us confidence. We have other options if someone is having a bad night. Tonight, E.J. didn’t shoot it particularly well and we had some other guys pick it up.”
For ASU, they didn’t go quietly. There were 12 lead changes in the contest.
A three pointer by Carrick Felix with 2:09 left gave the Sun Devils their last lead at 60-59. On their next possession, the Ducks recaptured the lead for good when Woods put down an emphatic dunk with 1:44 left.
The Ducks successful parade to the free throw line began shortly after.
ASU Freshman Jahii Carson led all scorers with 20 points, including several threes late that kept ASU in the game, and Evan Gordon added 17.
Altman said, “Carson makes everything go…he’s very hard to guard with his quickness. He plays with tremendous confidence and makes everybody better around him. He stirs the drink for them.”
Jordan Bachynski, ASU’s 7’2″ junior center, made his imposing presence felt inside the key by blocking three Duck shots and altering many others. Altman said, “He’s really improved as a player.”
© 2013 Craig Strobeck Photography
In giving a final assessment to the night’s work, Altman said, “We didn’t bounce around much, our energy level wasn’t what it should be. We didn’t give the crowd much to cheer about, so the place never really got going — the energy level never got going. But, I’m pleased we found a way to win.”
The Ducks continue to make progress. The upset over Arizona wouldn’t have felt nearly as good had the Ducks slipped up against the Sun Devils. With three conference wins and no losses, the Ducks are tied with Washington in second place; just one-half game behind UCLA, which is alone in first with a 4-0 mark. Oregon plays USC Thursday in Los Angeles.
Taking it on the road against an undefeated league foe in UCLA on Saturday is the next step with a game for first place in the Pac-12 Conference on the line.
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Luke Roth (Basketball Analyst) is a retired teacher and coach who has lived in Eugene since 1977. He coached high school basketball for 34 years, including 26 years as Sheldon HS girls varsity basketball coach (1984-2010). Luke taught at Sheldon for 30 years, and in the International HS at South and Sheldon, for 20 years. He taught journalism and advised the school newspaper at Sheldon during his stint there. He is a long-time Duck fan and UO alum (MA 1985). Luke has been married to his wife Catherine for 36 years with two grown children and one eight-year-old grandson. In retirement, Luke spends his time hiking, biking, gardening, writing, and playing the stand-up bass in the Sorrel Way Jam. Follow Luke on Twitter: @luke_lukeroth
