EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon faced a tough challenge on Thursday night, falling to Ohio State 72–62 at Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks struggled with their offense, shooting just 32.8% from the field and 23.3% from three-point range. After a close first half, they couldn’t keep pace with the Buckeyes.
Nate Bittle shone with 14 points and nine rebounds, though he shot only 5 of 19. Takai Simpkins contributed 12 points, mainly from a strong free-throw performance, and both Kwame Evans Jr. and Wei Lin added 10 points. Despite this, Oregon suffered from 19 turnovers, which converted to 13 easy points for Ohio State.
The second half started with Oregon only down by five. They managed to stay close for a while, but Ohio State was relentless. A 21–0 run by the Buckeyes pushed the Ducks into a significant 24-point hole with just under seven minutes left. Coach Dana Altman noted that the turning point came early in the second half, highlighting struggles with offensive rebounds.
Statistically, Oregon was outmatched in several areas. Ohio State shot 45.3% overall and dominated the paint, scoring 34 points there. Oregon managed only 24 points in the paint and had a disappointing night from beyond the arc, hitting just 7 of 30 attempts.
As the game wound down, Oregon tried to rally, scoring the final 8 points, led by Bittle, but it was not enough.
Looking ahead, Oregon will face No. 10 Nebraska on Tuesday, hoping to turn things around.
Extra Insights
Interestingly, statistics like these often reflect broader trends in college basketball. This season, teams with a strong inside game have been performing remarkably well. Reports indicate that teams averaging more than 40 points in the paint win 75% of their games, highlighting the importance of effective inside scoring.
Social media reactions to the game suggest fans are concerned about the Ducks’ consistency. Many voiced their frustrations on platforms like Twitter, with hashtags like #DucksNation showing both disappointment and hope for better performances ahead.
For a deeper look into the current college basketball landscape and trends, check out this NCAA report that covers team performances and statistics.
