Sports
Men’s Basketball Comes Up Short Against No. 17 Alabama – GoDucks.com
Game Recap: Men’s Basketball |
Michigan
12/2/2023 | 12:30 PM
FS1
Oregon Sports Network
NICEVILLE, Fla. — Oregon men’s basketball was defeated 99-91 by No. 17 Alabama today in the Emerald Coast Classic.
Jermaine Couisnard net a season-high 24 points (9-14 FG), with fellow SEC transfer Kario Oquendo adding 17, but Alabama’s combo of left-handed guards proved too much for the Ducks. Mark Sears led all scorers with 27 points (8-13FG), followed by Aaron Estrada with 22. Oregon started hot and led by as many as seven points in the first half, before second chance points and free throws doomed the Ducks. Oregon was outrebounded 40-28 and sent Alabama to the line for 28 free throw attempts, 26 of which were converted.
How It Happened: The Ducks came out playing fast, connecting on five of their first seven shots of the game for an early 10-5 lead. Opportunities to push the lead were there for the taking, but Oregon could not convert some easy transition baskets and the game remained close at the second media timeout, as the Ducks led 19-16.
Oregon turned the ball over three consecutive times after the timeout and Alabama saw their first lead of the game when a Brennan Rigsby foul put the Crimson Tide in the bonus early. Jermaine Couisnard then attempted Oregon’s first free throws of the half to tie things back up. The Ducks started to unravel after the free throw. Alabama went on an eight-zero run behind 13 first half points from Mark Spears to take a 30-22 lead.
Jesse Zarzuela and Kario Oquendo hit some big baskets to cut into the lead as the first half ended. Couisnard stayed hot for Oregon and scored his 16th point of the game to regain the lead for Oregon. Sloppy ball handling and defense erased the run and Alabama saw their second eight-zero run of the game to close the half with a 47-39 lead.
Zarzuela started the half with a three-point play, but the points were answered on the other end, a trend that continued. Alabama held a seven-point advantage most of the half behind strong play from Sears and Estrada. As the game continued, the offensive rebounding and strong free throw percentage were the difference.
As time ticked away, Alabama extended their lead to 17 points. Oregon fought back one more time behind a strong string of plays from Jackson Shelstad. Shelstad hit three consecutive shots at the four-minute mark to move to 10 points on the night, closing the Alabama lead to six. The Ducks could not get the turnovers needed in the final minutes and fell 99-91.
Notable: Couisnard turned in one of his best performances as a Duck with 24 points and six assists. Oquendo added 17 points with a career-high four blocks. Jackson Shelstad scored 10 points, all in the second half.
Up Next: Oregon has a week off before hosting Michigan at 12:30 p.m. PT on December 2 at Matthew Knight Arena.
Michigan
12/2/2023 | 12:30 PM
FS1
Oregon Sports Network
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