Oregon Snaps Skid, Stuns Penn State in First Big Ten Home Win
On a night usually reserved for roses and heart-shaped chocolates, it was Oregon that delivered the surprise bouquet on the hardwood. The Ducks picked the perfect moment to snap a ten-game losing streak, earning their first Big Ten home win with a statement performance over Penn State in Eugene.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a much-needed jolt of energy for a program that’s been searching for answers. And while both teams entered the night near the basement of the Big Ten standings, Oregon played like a squad ready to climb out.
Penn State, to its credit, came in with optimism. The Nittany Lions rolled out a starting five that’s been hard to keep healthy this season - Kayden Mingo, Freddie Dilione V, Dominick Stewart, Josh Reed, and Ivan Jurić - and early on, that cohesion showed. They jumped out to a two-possession lead within the first seven minutes, thanks to quick ball movement and aggressive drives.
But that early momentum didn’t last.
Oregon clawed its way back into the game midway through the first half, fueled by the return of center Nate Bittle. Playing in just his third game back from injury, Bittle reminded everyone why he’s the Ducks’ offensive anchor. He buried back-to-back threes that flipped the lead and set the tone for a stretch where Oregon simply out-executed Penn State on both ends.
The Ducks’ offense found its rhythm, and their defense tightened up just enough to make things uncomfortable for the Nittany Lions. Even as Penn State tried to respond - including a crafty layup from Mingo after a miscue by Oregon’s Wei Lin - it couldn’t keep pace with the Ducks’ growing confidence.
By halftime, Oregon had built a 38-32 lead behind Bittle’s 12 points and a strong showing from bench guard Dezdrick Lindsay. The senior guard came out firing, posting 10 points in the first half and eventually finishing with a career-high 16. It was the kind of spark Oregon’s second unit has been missing - and it arrived at just the right time.
For Penn State, the offensive load fell on the shoulders of its young duo. Mingo led all Nittany Lions with 11 first-half points, while Jurić added eight.
But while they produced, the team’s overall ball movement lagged. Oregon dished out 10 assists before the break - more than double Penn State’s total - and that disparity told the story.
In the second half, Penn State came out with renewed energy, especially on the defensive end. A press helped cut the lead to a single possession, and for a few minutes, it looked like the tide might turn.
But Oregon didn’t flinch.
Every time the Nittany Lions made a push, the Ducks had an answer. Whether it was Bittle calmly sinking free throws on a one-and-one, or Sean Stewart throwing down a momentum-swinging slam after a Jurić travel, Oregon kept control.
Then came Takai Simpkins.
After a quiet first half with just two points, Simpkins exploded in the second, pouring in 15 points during a critical stretch. His shooting - particularly from beyond the arc - gave Oregon the edge it needed. The Ducks outshot Penn State by over 20% from deep, and Simpkins was at the heart of that efficiency.
The game turned physical late, with both Jurić and Stewart fouling out, leaving each team short a key interior presence. But with Bittle still on the floor and Oregon protecting a double-digit lead, the Ducks simply managed the clock and closed the door.
Mingo finished with a team-high 24 points for Penn State, tying his career best. But Oregon’s 1-2 punch of Bittle and Simpkins - each finishing with 22 - proved too much.
Availability Report
Oregon was still without forward Tibor Mirtic, who missed the game with a shoulder injury suffered in practice. He joined redshirt Reggie Grodin on the sideline, though Mirtic’s return appears to be on the horizon.
What’s Next
Penn State heads back to Happy Valley for a Wednesday night matchup against Rutgers - another team near the bottom of the Big Ten standings. It’ll be “Academic Achievement Night and Faculty Staff Appreciation Night” at the Bryce Jordan Center, but more importantly, it’s a chance for the Nittany Lions to regroup and try to stop their own slide.