On a day when Chris Duarte was not shooting well, Oregon’s best player came up with perhaps the biggest chance of his career and the Ducks’ season so far.
31 seconds from the end and behind one, the Ducks turned to Duarte – but the piece was designed for Will Richardson.
Duarte caught the attention of Arizona guard James Akinjo, who forced the pass to Richardson in the right corner. The Oregon shipowner should drive to the basket and try a tie tray or reach the line and Duarte should follow him across the perimeter.
“We think it would relieve any help (defender),” said Oregon coach Dana Altman. “They wouldn’t leave Chris, so if Will was going to lead the baseline, they wouldn’t leave Chris to come and help. We wanted that face-to-face situation to (Richardson) enter the painting with his left hand. “
But Akinjo unexpectedly followed the ball in an attempt to prevent Richardson from going to the base line, leaving Duarte open on the right wing. Richardson returned it to Duarte, who knocked the three winners out of the game with 15.6 remaining and Kerr Kriisa’s three finals were wrong in an exciting 63-61 victory for the Ducks over the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at the McKale Center.
“We had two options: get to the hole and then, if I have nothing, I have the hammer for me on the curve,” said Duarte, who had 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. “Will had no layup; he felt that I was open in the corner. I had nothing, so I give it back to Will. He was a selfless player, he kicked me back and I hit a three. “
It was the second three point green light in the last two minutes for Oregon (12-4, 7-3 Pac-12), with LJ Figueroa (13 points, six rebounds) hitting a three in the transition after a pass from Duarte to give the OU a 60-59 lead with 1: 2 to finish.
Arizona regained the lead with 34 seconds left after two free throws by Christian Koloko, who failed badly in a similar situation at last year’s Tucson meeting.
The Ducks had several options to consider in the final critical sequence.
Eugene Omoruyi (19 points, four rebounds) was tremendous and the reason why Oregon won in the painting by 30-18, but also traveled twice before. Figueroa was the hot hand and shot well (5 out of 8) throughout the game, while Richardson made only 2 out of 8 on the field and 0 out of 3 out of three and Duarte had 3 out of 13 including 1 out of 6 behind the hoop.
“We have no experience together, but we have experience,” said Altman. “That’s when, as a freshman, Will wouldn’t be comfortable doing that piece and Eugene definitely wouldn’t. Chris last year, maybe even a little hesitantly.
“It is a luxury because of the experience of having different guys to go to. You can play the hot hand. Will is a good free-throw shooter; we thought that if we put it in that paint, it could get dirty. We’re giving him the first chance, but he made a great decision and took it to Chris and Chris hit the dagger. It is very good. Last year, we knew we were going to Payton (Pritchard). In overtime was another veteran, Shakur (Juiston), and Will made a great move. “
Altman appealed to the Oregon defense duo and they passed after what had been a tough 39 minutes.
“I have to thank my teammates who told me to raise my head,” said Duarte. “Thanks to Will on that ticket over there, for trusting me. It’s all about my teammates. We played a lot, we played together. “
Azuolas Tubelis had 20 points and seven rebounds and Kriisa had 12 points and five assists for Arizona (14-7, 8-7 Pac-12), who was defeated (38-30) for the first time this season.
Of all the things Altman was proud of after the victory, including Chandler Lawson (five rebounds) and Franck Kepnang (3 of 3) combining to go 5 of 6 on the field with eight rebounds, winning the board battle was the best on the list .
“I think that was the difference in the game,” he said. “They are used to hitting people and getting second chance points and that’s all. I thought it was huge. “
Oregon led by up to 10 in the middle of the first half, but Arizona constantly declined and drew 34 at halftime. It was a one-score game throughout the second half and, for the ninth time in the last 11 games in the series, Oregon prevailed.