Written Story By Knight Jarecki

EUGENE, Ore. — For the first time since 2007 the Oregon Ducks (6-5) hosted the #1 team in the nation as the undefeated Baylor Bears (9-0) came to town for the biggest non-conference game Oregon has hosted. Despite the lopsided records, the Ducks hung with the top-ranked bears throughout but Baylor ultimately prevailed 78-70.

Both teams entered the game coming off hot wins as Oregon routed Portland 96-71 in their best offensive showing of the year and Baylor dominated #6 Villanova 57-36 for their best defensive performance this season.

The Ducks were able to carry the excellent shooting from the Portland game into the first half against Baylor as the Ducks shots 58.3% from the field and 54.5% from 3 point range in the first half of basketball.

With 18:17 left in the first half, Oregon took the lead and never gave it back as the Ducks lead the entire way with Oregon's lead being as 10. The Ducks lead at the half was 4 after Baylor inched closer towards the break with Oregon ahead 39-35.

Oregon was able to play physical with a Baylor team that has bullied opposing teams all season. The Ducks out-rebounded Baylor 15-11 and forced 7 Bear turnovers including 3 steals.

N'Faly Dante continued to play well in the first half with 7 quick points to start and 4 rebounds while also playing excellent defense with 2 blocks and a steal through the first 20 minutes. De'Vion Harmon, a former Big 12 star at Oklahoma, was a consistent scorer throughout for the Ducks finishing with 13 points in the first half on 5-8 shooting including 60% from the 3-point line.

Baylor's Adam Flagler was excellent for the Bears finishing with 15 points on 5-6 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half.

It took less than two minutes for Baylor to tie the game in the second half after back to back buckets knotted the game at 39 points after several second chance opportunities for the Bears. After a Harmon mid-range basket, James Akinjo hit a three to give Baylor their first lead since the opening two minutes at 42-41.

After teams traded baskets, Will Richardson hit a three and Baylor received a technical for a 4 point play giving the Ducks a 47-44 lead. Oregon made the score 49-46 with 14:08 left before going scoreless for over 2 minutes and allowing Baylor to crawl back and take the lead 51-49 after Matthew Mayer's first 3-pointer.

Will Richardson scored 2-points on a second-chance tear drop to knot it at 51 halfway through the second half before Kendall Brown started to take over the game for Baylor, scoring 5 straight points on two dunks and a free-throw.

Oregon's cold streak lasted for over 5 minutes as Baylor went on a 13-2 run propelled by 4 Oregon turnovers and 1 of 7 shooting from the field extending the Bears lead to 8 in the second half at 59-51.

Brown continued to score the Bears scoring 6 more points for the Bears while Jacob Young had 4 straight points making it a 10 point game at 65-55.

At 5:11 left Quincey Guerrier fouled out finishing with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

After Baylor extended their lead to 13 points with 3:37 left, Oregon went on a 7-2 run after hitting 3 straight shots including a Jacob Young three to cut the lead to 8 points at 62-74.

Oregon was able to cut the lead to 6 points after two Will Richardson free-throws with 1:17 left making the score 74-68. Oregon immediately forced a turnover but two missed shots and a turnover by Will Richardson gave the ball back to Baylor with 45 seconds left to play.

Baylor hit a couple of free-throws and held Oregon to just two points in the final seconds to close out a 78-70 victory.

Oregon finished the game with one of their better shooting performances on the year as the Ducks shot 54% from the field and 44.4% from three, their 3rd best percentages all season. Oregon outshot Baylor 54% to 51% but the Bears outmatched the Ducks with a 52% 3-point percentage and 4 more threes proving to be the difference.

Oregon also out-rebounded Baylor 30-28 against one of the most physical rebounding teams in the nation. Head Coach Dana Altman and guard De'Vion Harmon were positive after the game citing the performance was one to build on.

Oregon falls back to .500 at (6-6) on the year while Baylor improves their undefeated record to (10-0).

Baylor had held its previous opponents to under 64 points all season before Oregon's 70 points on Saturday. Baylor's last non-conference road loss came back in 2019 when they fell to Washington in Seattle.

Oregon will look to bounce back next week as they host Pepperdine (5-8) on Tuesday before the Christmas Break.

Stats:

Audio Story by Justin Grossweiner

Postgame Audio:

Head Coach Dana Altman

De'Vion Harmon