| 10 March 2011
E.J. Singler and his Oregon Ducks picked a great time to break out of their slumps, pulling out a 67-59 first-round win over the Arizona State Sun Devils, a team they lost to twice during the regular season.
Singler aggressive attack propels Oregon
Entering having made just five of 19 field goals over the Ducks final three regular season games, the sophomore forward looked to avenge such disappointing performances and took his anger out on Oregon's first-round foe. He looked to score inside and out, and particularly helped the Ducks build a comfortable lead from three-point range. Riding a hot hand, Singler drained two of the Ducks seven first-half three-pointers, scoring 14 points in all in the first 20 minutes on 5-8 shooting.
Singler's teammates followed his lead, contributing with a balanced attack. Eight Ducks appeared in the first half and all of them scored. Everyone looked to attack a Sun Devils defense they had difficulty penetrating twice before. This time they were ultimately successful. The passing game flourished, as Arizona State was continuously spread out, leaving lanes open enough for aggressors like Singler to cut and score.
Aggressive offense leads to aggressive defense for Ducks
When Oregon succeeded during the regular season it was in largely due to their defense. They lost this speed and intensity down the stretch, but this effort reappeared against Arizona State. The Ducks were swarming, keeping the ball out of the hands of the Sun Devils playmakers and forcing a substantial amount of turnovers. Quick hands and lateral quickness led to nine first-half steals. Oregon only had three points off turnovers, but limiting the possessions of the hot-shooting Sun Devils helped them build a nine-point halftime lead.
Ty Abbott held scoreless, hurts Sun Devils chance of a comeback
Arizona State senior guard ended his college career on a sour note. After scoring 22 points apiece against Oregon and Oregon State in the final two games of the regular season, he didn't score a single point. Amazingly, he only took one shot, that coming in the first half. He did fill the box-score in other ways, grabbing four rebounds, dishing three assists, and collecting two steals, but his inability to make an impact offensively took a much-needed weapon away from an Arizona State team that needed his expected contributions.
Trent Lockett, Jamelle McMillan, and Rihards Kuksiks step up, scare Ducks
The trio did everything for Arizona State propeling the Sun Devils back from a 17-point second-half deficit to contend late. Lockett was extremely efficient, scoring 22 points on 10-12 shoooting, McMillan handed out four assists, hit three three-pointers, and swiped five steals, and Kuksiks nailed three three-pointers as well. However, the three-pronged attack could not do enough damage, as the Ducks lived from the free-throw line in the closing minutes to end their rally attempt.
Singler's drive, Ducks free-throw efficiency seals victory
Singler drove to the basket with just over two minutes left, attacked the rim, and was fouled, sending him to the free-throw line. He made both, giving the Ducks a ten-point lead. Just as his aggression early started a trend, his efficiency from the line was contagious. Arizona State wouldn't give up, trimming the deficit to seven with under a minute remaining, but Oregon made six of their ensuing seven free-throws for a hard-earned seven-point win.
"We just wanted to come out and play hard," said Singler, who had 22 points on 8-12 shooting. "My teammates made plays for me. I just happened to make shots today."
In the second round of the Pac-10 tournament the Ducks will need more of the same against UCLA, another team they lost to twice during the season. Oregon has already ended one two-game slide to an opponent. Why not another?
photo: daylife
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