In a hard-fought matchup on Tuesday night, the Oregon Ducks squared off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, aiming to build on their recent victory over Penn State. The first half was a defensive slugfest, with both teams struggling to find their offensive rhythm. Midway through, the Ducks held a narrow 11-10 lead, but Minnesota found some late momentum to head into halftime up 22-17.
The second half saw Oregon spark a 9-0 run, seizing a brief 30-29 advantage. However, the Golden Gophers quickly responded with a 7-0 surge, reclaiming control at 36-30.
The Ducks tried to claw back, narrowing the gap to three points, highlighted by a thrilling dunk from Dezdrick Lindsay. Yet, Minnesota closed the game on a decisive 12-2 run, sealing a 61-44 victory.
It was a tough outing for the Ducks, who struggled to find their stride. Nate Bittle shone as a key player, contributing 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, despite facing constant defensive pressure.
On the flip side, Takai Simpkins had a challenging night, going 0-10 from the floor and ending with 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 turnovers. The game remained within reach until the final minutes, but Oregon's shooting woes, particularly from beyond the arc (2 for 20), proved costly against Minnesota's zone defense.