Oregon Ducks at UCLA Bruins Game Thread

But UCLA freshman superstar Lonzo Ball (15 points, 11 rebounds) drilled a step-back three with 32 seconds left, putting the Bruins up 80-75.

Aaron Holiday gave UCLA its first lead on a 3-pointer with 4 minutes remaining in the game and the 10th-ranked Bruins rallied from a 19-point first-half deficit to beat No. 5 OR 82-79 on Thursday night. “We’re always better when we can run, when we don’t have to go up against their press in every possession”. That’s how Alford felt after the game, mind you.

ABOUT OREGON (21-3, 10-1 Pac-12): The Bruins earned considerable attention this season for their high-scoring games and high-percentage shooting, but the Ducks have been just as good, especially from long range.

“To get a win this way, I’m just so proud of my team”, UCLA head coach Steve Alford said.

“That’s my time to do what I’ve got to do”, Ball said. They have lost just two games since December, and both of them came on the road.

OR had 14 fast-break points while UCLA had 10 during their first meeting to open Pac-12 play. Forward Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey were having their way with UCLA’s soft defense, which allowed the Ducks to lead by double-digit points midway through the second half. OR guard Payton Pritchard missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

“It seemed like we were really gassed out there”, said Oregon Coach Dana Altman. “Who makes the better adjustments and who uses that first experience to create a better second experience are usually the teams that create more momentum going into March and more successful the second time around”.

“It feels good, this was a great win tonight”, Ball said. “The team’s comfortable with me in those type of situations”. That helps. We need it.

Led by Ball’s second-half individual effort on Brooks, the Bruins held the Ducks to 33% shooting in the final 20 minutes while outrebounding them by eight. The shots came pouring in as the friendly rims favored the home team, and Lonzo Ball came alive down the stretch to lead the team to a thrilling comeback victory.

OR leads the conference in 3-point field-goal percentage, converting its attempts at a.394 clip.

This is your OR at UCLA game thread!

Ball made a 3-pointer and Welsh followed with a basket as UCLA closed within 69-66 with 7:18 to go.

UCLA’s sometimes tissue paper defense was in full force to start this game as OR drove the lane at every opportunity, and was not afraid to shoot from outside, which put the Bruins in a spot of trouble early. Ball recorded his eighth double-double of the season, just his third of the point-rebound variety.

It was a tale of two halves for the Ducks. Holiday followed with two free throws before Pritchard’s final miss.

Dougherty was a passenger in the auto when then-Oregon co-offensive coordinator/pass game coordinator David Reaves was arrested for DUI last month.