OREGON MBB RECAP: Ducks survive in Thriller Against the Washington Huskies

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By Mario Ponce

EUGENE, Ore – The Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team (15-7) beat the Washington Huskies (12-10) in a key game to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive. Oregon squandered a big lead in the second half but hung on to win 85-80.

The game started back and forth, with the teams trading the lead a couple of times before Oregon took a lead they would retain for the rest of the half. The Ducks buckled down on defense and the Huskies struggled with shooting. Oregon’s Jermaine Cuisnard stole the show in the first half, with multiple three point shots keeping his team ahead. Washington stayed close though and the half went down to the wire. Oregon’s defense stopped a last possession attack by Washington to take the lead to the locker room at 40-34.

The Ducks started the second half really well, and extended their advantage over the Huskies. Oregon had good baskets and at one point led by as many as 20 points, but right when it looked like the Ducks were in cruise control they faltered as Washington mounted a comeback effort. Intense Husky press and a Duck scoreless run cut the difference to one point with three minutes remaining, and what unfolded was a defensive battle of attrition. The Ducks stayed ahead as the teams traded scores down the stretch, with neither team giving an inch. Oregon got huge stops right at the end and held on to win by a five point margin.

Duck guard Jermaine Cuisnard had a great performance, shooting 9-12 from three and giving five assists to his teammates. He was a key contributor to the Duck’s win and led the team in scoring with 27 points. The Huskies showed resolve in trimming the Duck’s big lead, but clutch free throw shooting and defense by Oregon kept them from a statement comeback win.

With the win Oregon reaches 16 wins in the season and 8 in conference play, and stays solid in the Pac-12 standings. The Ducks split their last two series against the Arizona and LA schools, and their next game is the second of their Washington series against the Washington State Cougars at home on Saturday.