BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Oregon men’s basketball team faced tough competition against Indiana, suffering a 92-74 loss that marks their tenth consecutive defeat. Despite showing promise early on, the Ducks couldn’t match Indiana’s offensive outburst in the second half.
Oregon started strong, trailing just 36-30 at halftime and shooting a solid 50% in the second half. Coach Dana Altman praised the team’s first-half play but expressed frustration with their defensive efforts later in the game. “We needed to be better defensively in the second half,” he said.
Wei Lin and Nate Bittle led the way for Oregon with 15 points each, while Sean Stewart contributed 12 and Drew Carter hit a career-high 10 points. However, they struggled to keep up with Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson, who scored an impressive 41 points.
“Realistically, we can’t score 92 points,” Altman noted. “It was crucial for us to keep the game in the seventies. We made them look unstoppable during that stretch.” Their ability to connect defensively faltered, becoming a key factor in the outcome.
In the game’s early moments, Oregon capitalized on Indiana’s slow start, racing to a 6-0 lead. The Hoosiers finally found their rhythm and went on a 13-3 run, taking control with Wilkerson leading the charge. By halftime, he had already put up 16 points.
The second half saw Indiana soar with 18-of-22 shooting, overwhelming Oregon, even though the Ducks performed well with 50% shooting. Bittle added 11 points and five assists after the break, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Looking ahead, Oregon will play Penn State next Saturday at noon on the Big Ten Network, hoping to break their losing streak and improve on their defensive struggles.
For a broader context, research from the NCAA shows that teams who maintain defensive discipline often fare better in high-stakes games. As the Ducks prepare for upcoming challenges, tightening their defensive strategy could be crucial to reversing their fortunes.
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