Oregon Survives Arizona’s Onslaught

NCAA College Basketball game action during the 2016 PAC-12 Basketball Tournament semifinalsl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NCAA College Basketball game action during the 2016 PAC-12 Basketball Tournament semifinalsl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NCAA College Basketball game Elgin Cook driving hard to the basket during the 2016 PAC-12 Basketball Tournament semifinalsl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NCAA College Basketball game Elgin Cook driving hard to the basket during the 2016 PAC-12 Basketball Tournament semifinalsl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Las Vegas, NV – Live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena at the PAC-12 tournament semifinals, where myself and almost 13,000 enthusiastic college basketball fans had the pleasure of seeing the #1 seed Oregon and the #4 seed Arizona shoot it out. Unfortunately Arizona was not quick enough on the draw. Oregon moves on to the next round with a final score Oregon 95 Arizona 89.

Las Vegas was a modern-day Wild Wild West. This matchup was extremely fast-paced and physical. Neither team was letting a shot go by uncontested. It was to be a fight to the finish. So much so that Oregon’s Jordan Bell received a technical foul Arizona’s Kadeem Allen was fouled out in OT.

NCAA College Basketball game Gabe York dropping a three during overtime of the 2016 PAC-12 Basketball Tournament semifinalsl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NCAA College Basketball game Gabe York dropping a three during overtime of the 2016 PAC-12 Basketball Tournament semifinalsl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Oregon had the lead for more or less the entire game so I’m sure no one was expecting the dramatic turn at events that took place in the last 6 minutes of regulation play. Arizona ate away at Oregon’s lead with a few well executed 3 point shots and free throws to tie up the game with only a minute remaining. Oregon did have one last opportunity to send Arizona home but couldn’t close the deal. Taking the game into overtime. Giving all the Arizona fans who filled up more than half the arena a glimpse of hope.

Going into overtime both teams felt the urgency to turn it up. Arizona just couldn’t get those critical shots in and Oregon’s Dwayne Benjamin kept putting his hands all over the Wildcats possessions like he was their six player. Arizona gave a admirable performance but the turnovers in the end crippled their efforts.

With Oregon’s win they move on to the finals Saturday night against Utah. Will the Ducks have enough steam to stay afloat?

NCAA College Basketball game Chris Boucher playing defense above the rim during the 2016 PAC-12 Basketball Tournament semifinalsl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
NCAA College Basketball game Chris Boucher playing defense above the rim during the 2016 PAC-12 Basketball Tournament semifinalsl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)