Oregon Ducks Knock Off San Diego State, Advance to Tournament Final
Behind a dominant performance from TJ Bamba, the Oregon Ducks soared past SanDiego State, 78-68, to secure a spot in the championship game of thePlayers Era Festival in Las Vegas.
Bamba Leads the Ducks
Bamba was firing on all cylinders, knocking down 4 of 6 three-pointers en route to a game-high 22 points. Keeshawn Barthelemy provided a significant spark off the bench, chipping in 16 points on efficient 5-of-8 shooting, including a 3-of-4 mark from beyond the arc. Barthelemy ignited a crucial 9-0 run late in the first half, fueled by a jumper and a three-pointer that propelled the Ducks into the lead for good at 34-27. Bamba added a key three-point play during the surge, further expanding Oregon’s lead.
A buzzer-beating three-pointer from Jackson Shelstad and two free throws from Barthelemy in the final seconds of the half extended the Ducks’ advantage to 41-31 heading into the locker room.
Ducks Hold off a Late Aztecs Charge
San Diego State weathered the storm early in the second half, cutting the deficit to 56-53 midway through on a Nick Boyd jumper. But the Ducks quickly responded with a barrage of threes. Consecutive baskets from beyond the arc by Brandon Angel, Bamba, and Barthelemy quickly restored a double-digit lead.
Shelstad then sealed the deal, sinking three free throws after getting fouled on a deep three-point attempt. San Diego State never managed to close the gap below three possessions for the remainder of the game.
Angel and Shelstad contributed 12 points each for the Ducks, who now sport a perfect 7-0 record. Nate Bittle had a solid all-around performance, adding 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Ducks Overpower Aztecs on the Boards
Oregon dominated the Eagles on the boards, outrebounding them by a significant margin 41-24, translating their dominance into second-chance opportunities and key points in the paint. The Ducks shot 44.6% from the field and went 10 of 22 from beyond the arc, a respectable 45.5%, showcasing their deep shooting ability.
The Ducks made the most of their trips to the free throw line, connecting on 18 of 26 attempts.
Despite their shooting woes – going 50.9% from the floor yet connecting on only six three-pointers and making just 4 of 8 free throws, BJ Davis was a bright spot for San Diego State with 18 points. The Aztecs (3-2)
will look to salvage third place in the tournament, facing the loser of the Alabama-Rutgers matchup on Saturday.
Prior to the victory over San Diego State, the Ducks dispatched No. 20 Texas A&M 80-70 on Tuesday to open the tournament.
What were some key factors in Oregon’s victory over San Diego State in the Players Era Festival?
## Interview: Oregon Ducks Dominate in Vegas
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show! We’re joined now by [Guest Name], our basketball analyst, to talk about the Oregon Ducks’ impressive win over San Diego State. They’re headed to the championship game of the Players Era Festival – a fantastic achievement!
**Guest:** Thanks for having me! It was a really exciting game. The Ducks played with great energy and confidence, and they really deserve this win.
**Interviewer:** TJ Bamba was phenomenal. 22 points, 4-6 from three-point range – he was practically unstoppable. What did you see from him that impressed you the most?
**Guest:** Bamba’s been playing well all season, but tonight he really stepped it up. He was hitting shots from everywhere, driving to the basket aggressively, and making smart decisions with the ball. He’s a true leader for this team.
**Interviewer:** And Keeshawn Barthelemy coming off the bench was huge! Another stellar performance, hitting some clutch shots.
**Guest:** Absolutely. Barthelemy brought a spark off the bench for the Ducks. He’s a valuable asset to this team, and his ability to score in bunches is crucial for Oregon’s success.
**Interviewer:** The Aztecs made a run in the second half, but the Ducks always seemed to have an answer. What do you think was the key to their victory?
**Guest:** That three-point barrage in the second half was key. When San Diego State tried to make a push, the Ducks responded with those crucial threes from Bamba, Barthelemy, and Angel. That’s a sign of a team with great composure and offensive firepower.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, the Ducks have a tough championship game ahead of them. What will they need to do to secure the title?
**Guest:** They’ll need to play with the same intensity and focus they showed tonight. Limit turnovers, play strong defense, and continue to share the ball offensively. If they can do that, I see no reason why they can’t bring home the trophy.
**Interviewer:** We’ll be keeping our eyes on the championship game! Thanks for joining us, [Guest Name], and for your insights on this exciting Ducks victory.
