Oregon Ducks Rally to Beat Beavers in Thrilling Rivalry Match
CORVALLIS, Ore. – In a heated annual rivalry game, the Oregon men’s basketball team overcame a sluggish start, ultimately defeating Oregon State 74-66 to secure their fifth win of the season. Head Coach Dana Altman expressed pride in his team’s second-half performance, stating, "We were in bad shape…but I was really pleased with how the guys picked up the defense."
The Ducks trailed by 10 points at halftime, with Oregon State’s junior forward Michael Rataj leading the charge for the Beavers, scoring 15 points and grabbing six rebounds in the first half. Oregon State capitalized on their scoring inside, featuring contributions from Pasra Fallah and Matthew Marsh, who helped the Beavers to a strong 47-37 lead at the break. Liutauras Lelevicius showcased his skills as well, netting a season-high 13 points.
However, the Ducks came roaring back in the second half, with senior center Nate Bittle asserting his dominance in the paint, finishing the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Altman credited his team’s resurgence to increased effort on the boards, saying, "Nate did a tremendous job."
Sophomore guard Jackson Shelstad also stepped up, hitting three three-pointers and contributing 15 points and six assists. "The last 13:45 was a completely different team. We outscored them by 15 points," said Altman, highlighting the team’s late-game surge.
Looking ahead, the Ducks are set to face #23 Texas A&M on Tuesday at the Player Era Festival in Las Vegas, aiming to build on their recent success.
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Photo credit kval.com