Rivaldo Soares’ career high 16 points led host Oregon to a 78-56 win over in-state rival Portland on Saturday night in Eugene, Ore., the Ducks’ fifth win in the past six games.
Brennan Rigsby added 14 points and Will Richardson 12, with Soares and Rigsby combining to hit eight of 11 on 3-point attempts.
The Ducks (7-5) made 53.1 percent of their shots for the game and held the Pilots (8-6) to 37.7 percent. Richardson, Oregon’s point guard, finished with 12 assists.
Tyler Robertson 13 points led the Pilots. The West Coast Conference team had played well against high-caliber, big-school opponents earlier this season. Alden Applewhite added 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
The Ducks led by as many as 17 points in the first half, with defense keying their offense. A 3-pointer from Soares gave Oregon a 33-20 lead with 4:35 to go in the half, and moments later Kel’el Ware blocked a layup attempt and grabbed the ball at the other end of the court. Oregon ended that possession with a Lok Wur 3-pointer and a 36-20 lead.
The Pilots got the lead down to 12 by halftime and cut it to eight, 38-30, on a Kristian Sjolund layup less than three minutes into the second half.
A dunk by Tyrone Williams, off a feed from Dante, and a Rigsby trey keyed a 15-5 run for a 53-35 Ducks lead, but Portland was able to make a small run and keep it interesting.
Robertson knocked down a jumper with 6:27 to play after a turnover by Soares. The Pilots were within 64-52.
But Richardson’s one-handed scoop lob to Dante for a dunk with 4:48 left put Oregon ahead by 18.
–Field Level Media
