Oregon’s Comeback Falls Short in Double OT Thriller vs. No. 6 Michigan
Oregon gave everything it had on Monday night-and then some. Down 18 points at one stage and trailing by 16 at halftime, the Ducks mounted a gritty second-half comeback that pushed No.
6 Michigan to the brink. But in a game that saw two overtimes, 49 combined turnovers, and 63 fouls, it was the Wolverines who made just enough plays late to escape Matthew Knight Arena with a 92-87 win.
The Ducks, now 12-3 overall and still searching for their first Big Ten win at 0-2, looked outmatched early. Michigan came in with the conference’s top-ranked scoring offense, and it showed. The Wolverines hit 10 of their first 13 shots and knocked down six of nine from deep in the first half, racing out to a 44-28 lead by the break.
But Oregon didn’t fold. Sophomore guard Katie Fiso put the team on her back, scoring 22 of her game-high 24 points after halftime. Her energy and shot-making helped fuel a comeback that had the home crowd roaring and Michigan on its heels.
By the time the first overtime rolled around, the Ducks had clawed all the way back. With 1:36 left in the period, Fiso calmly sank two free throws to give Oregon its first lead since the game’s opening point. Less than a minute later, Sarah Rambus added two more from the line, pushing the Ducks ahead 76-73.
But Michigan wasn’t done. After Sofia Sofilkanich hit one of two free throws, the Wolverines drew up a clean look for Laila Olson, who used a screen to drive to the rim and finish with six seconds left, tying the game at 76 and sending it to a second overtime.
That’s where Michigan took control.
Freshman Syla Swords, who led the Wolverines with 18 points, drilled a three on Michigan’s first possession of the second OT. Then, Macy Brown made the play of the night-picking off a pass and racing the other way for a breakaway layup that pushed the lead to six. Oregon never got closer than three the rest of the way.
Sofilkanich added the dagger with a layup in the final minute, finishing with 16 points. Michigan, now 11-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play, had to work for every bit of this one.
The box score tells the story of a physical, chaotic game. The two teams combined for nearly 50 turnovers and over 60 fouls.
Oregon had five players foul out-four of them starters. Michigan struggled from the free throw line, going just 16-for-38, while the Ducks weren’t much better at 20-for-34.
Still, it was Oregon’s defense that sparked the turnaround. After giving up 44 points in the first half, the Ducks clamped down, holding Michigan to just 32 points across the second half and first overtime. Considering the Wolverines came in averaging over 92 points per game, that’s a statement.
It just wasn’t quite enough.
Oregon will get a chance to regroup quickly, as they host Northwestern (6-7, 0-2) on Thursday at 2 p.m. Still searching for their first Big Ten win, the Ducks will look to build on the fight they showed in the second half-and hope it’s the start of something bigger.