Oregon Captures Pac-12 Tournament Title

LAS VEGAS, Nev., -- The Oregon Ducks relied on a tenacious defense plus time shooting from Carlos Emery and solid leadership from Johnathan Loyd to win the 2013 Pac-12 Conference Tournament by defeating the UCLA Bruins 78-69.

(PHOTO) Oregon Ducks guard Johnathan Loyd (10) celebrates after the championship game of the Pac 12 tournament against the UCLA Bruins at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Oregon defeated UCLA 78-69. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Loyd was the glue that kept the Ducks together by controlling the tempo of the game and scoring 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting including 2-of-4 behind the 3-point line and converted 1-of-2 free throws. Loyd also handed out three assists and recorded two steals.

"Johnny Loyd really picked himself up and gave us a big night," said Head Coach Dana Altman of the win. "The guys fought their tails off."

Carlos Emory found a touch when his team most needed it and finished with 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting including sinking two 3-pointers and was perfect from the free throw line going 6-for-6. Damyean Dotson hit three 3-pointers on his way to racking up 13 points while Arsalan Kazemi seemingly in the right place at the right time ended up with 12 points and hauling down 12 rebounds.

"I looked at Oregon, and my strength is my rebounding, and I saw Oregon was not very good at rebounding last year," said Kazemi about his decision to transfer from Rice to Oregon last fall. "So I just decided that this is the team that I can help the most, and I think I came here and I gave them my rebounding strengths, and they have everything else."

For the game the Ducks shot 47.5 percent for the game on 29-of-61 including 7-of-14 in 3-pointers. Oregon had 13 points from the free throw line as did UCLA. The Bruins shot 44.6 percent on 25-of-56 shooting including 6-of-10 in 3’s.

Oregon controlled the rebounds, pulling down 37 to UCLA’s 28.

Five Bruins scored in double-figures led by Shabazz Muhammad and Larry Drew, both with 14. Travis Wear had 13 and Kyle Anderson had 11 while Larry Drew II had 10.

Ben Howland was called for a technical foul during the first half of the game and an obviously embarrassed Howland said during the post-game interview that he apologized to his team and took full responsibility for his actions.

“I deserved the technical foul,” said Howland. “I behaved poorly.”

Howland’s apology is in contrast to the actions of Sean Miller, the Arizona headman, who went on a rant about a technical called on him in the game during the post-game media conference following his team’s loss to UCLA on Friday night.

Following the conclusion of the game the following honors were announced:

Most Outstanding Player: Johnathan Loyd, Oregon

All-Tournament Team:
Jahii Carson, Arizona State
Jordan Adams, UCLA
Larry Drew II, UCLA
Arsalan Kazemi, Oregon
Damyean Dotson, Oregon

Notes:

The Ducks improved to 3-0 in tournament championship titles. Among teams who have participated in multiple tournament title games, Oregon is the only Conference team with a perfect record.

Oregon won the only regular season meeting with UCLA, 76-67 on Jan. 19.

The Ducks closed the first half on a 35-18 run to take the 41-32 lead into the break.

The Bruins' nine-point halftime deficit was their third largest of the season. They have dropped all four contests in which they have trailed by six or more at the half.

Conversely, Oregon has not lost this season when leading by eight points or more at the half.

Oregon's bench outscored UCLA's bench, 41-7.

Kazemi's double-double in scoring and rebounding was his ninth double-double of the season.

Emory's 20-points is one point shy of his career high of 21 scored against Oregon State on Feb. 28.

Official Box Score from Pac-12.org