Oregon defeated Florida A&M 87-66 Wednesday night at Matthew Knight Arena to move to 3-1 on the season. Oregon, who extended their home winning streak to 24, had a rare 8 PM tip-off against an unfamiliar Florida A&M in a game that was scheduled just three days prior. N’Faly Dante led the way with 22 points, Ducks Guard Chris Duarte finished with 23 points, and Evins Desir dropped a team-high 11 for Florida A&M. Each team came out hot with the Rattlers showing their chops outscoring the Ducks through five minutes and starting an impressive 5-7 from the field. The positives largely stopped there for the team from Tallahassee as Oregon proceeded to make the rest of the first half their own. N’Faly Dante surpassed his then career-high with 14 in the first half. Dante and the Ducks set their presence in the paint through 20 minutes with 17 rebounds, 8 on the offensive glass.

Oregon came out of the locker room in the second half to put the game further into the coffin. The Ducks went on a 6-0 run moments into the second half and everything was dropping, scoring 13 points in under 4 minutes after the break. Two huge slam-dunks by Dante and Eric Williams Jr. set the tone in the second half. The Rattlers had a speedy 12-0 run that was halted at the 12-minute mark. Oregon cruised the rest of the way with the 13 point margin the closest A&M would get. Even though the three-ball wasn’t falling tonight, Oregon drilled 60% of their shots culminating in their season-high in points.

Tonight’s victory wraps up a speedy non-conference slate as Oregon (3-1) travels north this weekend to take on the University of Washington (1-3).

Audio Story By: Adam Susman

Dana Altman

Eric Williams Jr.