| California versus Oregon
Always a dependable offensive team, Oregon has found a new defensive identity and the Ducks used it to punish California.
Taj Porter led four players in double figures with 24 points and No. 16 Oregon built a 21-point halftime lead on its way to an 81-63 victory in the Pac-10 semifinals Friday night.
"We're one of those teams that is peaking at the right time," Ducks coach Ernie Kent said. "It would be very important and huge for us if we could win this tournament."
Malik Hairston added 22 points, Maarty Leunen 13 and Aaron Brooks 10 for the Ducks, who held Cal to 43 percent shooting in winning their fifth straight.
"We've played some of the best defense we've ever played since I've been at Oregon" Kent said.
Friday's game was opposite of last year's semifinal between the teams, won by Cal in double overtime. The teams split their regular-season meetings this year.
The Bears got as close as six points with 7:17 remaining, but Oregon outscored them 22-10 to end the game.
Cal turned things around coming out of halftime with a 19-5 run. Robertson had two 3-pointers as the Bears cut their deficit to seven.
" Cal made a gallant run, but I think their legs gave out a little bit," Kent said.
"We put some effort into coming back," Cal coach Ben Braun said. "The second half was indicative of the fight of this team. We missed a couple shots we would normally make."
Hairston again was the catalyst for Oregon, completing two three-point plays as part of the Ducks' big game-ending spurt.
|
