Ducks Overcome Pilots in Overtime

In a game that may best reflect the young Oregon Ducks, overtime was needed to put away a more veteran Portland Pilot team 79-76. Despite holding a 14-point lead in the second half, the Ducks needed to hold onto the ball in the final moments of regulation and then a timely running jumper by Tajuan Porter and two free throws to ensure the Ducks of the 700th Oregon win at McArthur Court.

Porter hit the runner in the lane with just under one minute left in overtime and gave the Ducks a one-point lead. Oregon then made what could been the best defensive stand of the season to lead to a pair of Catron free throws to seal the deal.

Garrett Sim led the Ducks in scoring with 14 on 5-for-9 field goal shooting including 2-of-3 in 3-pointers. Porter had 12 points to go along with season-high five assists while Catron snagged team-high six rebounds and knocked down six points.

LeKendric Longmire (13 points) and Michael Dunigan (11 points) also scored in double-digits for the Ducks.

Portland was paced by Nik Raivio's 23 points on 9-of-21 shooting and his team-high nine rebounds. Jared Stohl also broke the 20-point barrer in the game, netting 21 points including five 3-pointers. Guard T.J. Campbell's 17 points included the game tying 3-point basket at the end of regulation.

Turnovers and fouls slowed the game and it looked as though the more veteran Pilots would take advantage of the younger Ducks' mistakes in the closing moments of regulation. Oregon turned the ball over 22 times while Portland miscued 26 times. The officials also called a total of 26 fouls on the Pilots while Oregon was whistled 17 times. Rebounding was also very even with Portland grabbing a total of 34 boards while the Ducks hauled in 30.

Five Duck freshman combined to score 28 of Oregon's 38 first-half points and the freshmen finished the game with 42 combined points, including a season-high seven points from forward Josh Crittle. Oregon has more than a week off to celebrate the holidays with their families before returning to Eugene to battle Long Beach State on Dec. 29.

Official Box Score