The Oregon Ducks came into Wednesday night’s matchup against UCLA looking to snap a six-game losing streak, but the script stayed all too familiar for Dana Altman’s squad. Shorthanded once again - missing key contributors Jackson Shelstad, Nate Bittle, and now freshman guard Takai Simpkins - the Ducks showed flashes early but couldn’t sustain the momentum against a Bruins team that found its rhythm and never let go.
To Oregon’s credit, they hung tough in the opening minutes. Despite the depleted rotation, they kept it close at 18-13 midway through the first half.
But that’s when UCLA flipped the switch. The Bruins strung together a 12-3 run that stretched the lead to 30-16, taking control of the game with a combination of disciplined defense and timely shot-making.
By halftime, Oregon found itself in a 36-22 hole - a familiar position in recent weeks.
The second half didn’t offer much relief early on. UCLA came out firing, ballooning the lead to 44-24 in just under four minutes.
But credit the Ducks for not folding. They responded with a 12-2 run of their own, cutting the deficit to 10 with 12:38 left on the clock.
It was the kind of push that could’ve sparked a comeback - if only they’d been able to sustain it.
Unfortunately for Oregon, that was as close as they’d get. The Bruins clamped down defensively and maintained a double-digit cushion the rest of the way, ultimately sealing a 73-57 win. That result extends Oregon’s losing streak to seven games, a tough stretch for a program that’s used to being in the thick of the Pac-12 race this time of year.
Now, context matters here. UCLA is a well-constructed team, and Oregon is navigating a brutal stretch of injuries that’s left them thin in both experience and depth.
Even with a full roster, this would’ve been a challenging matchup. The Bruins’ roster is cohesive - their pieces complement each other well, and they play with a sense of continuity that Oregon just hasn’t found yet this season.
Still, there were bright spots for the Ducks, and none shined brighter than KJ Evans. With the offense running short on options, the freshman stepped up in a major way.
He dropped 24 points on 50% shooting, pulled down 8 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and added 2 blocks for good measure. That’s not just stuffing the stat sheet - that’s stepping into the spotlight when your team needs you most.
Evans' performance was a reminder that even in the middle of a tough stretch, there are pieces worth building around. He played with poise, energy, and confidence - all the traits you want to see from a young player thrown into a lead role. And with the Ducks still waiting to get healthy, they’ll need more of that from him going forward.
For now, Oregon’s focus has to be on getting bodies back and regaining some rhythm. The Pac-12 grind isn’t slowing down, and if they want to turn this season around, it’s going to take more than flashes. But if Evans’ breakout is any indication, there’s still fight left in this group - they just need a few more pieces to fall into place.