The Oregon Ducks established their dominance early in the second half, snapping a tight contest with a decisive 15-2 run that stretched their lead to double digits for the remainder of the game. Tyrone Riley IV led the charge during this pivotal stretch, scoring six points including a highlight-reel alley-oop dunk, as the Ducks surged past the 57-57 tie with 10:41 remaining. This explosive sequence set the tone for a rout, allowing Oregon to control the pace and ultimately secure an 87-69 victory over Montana in a season-opening clash for both programs.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
Offensively, the Ducks were nearly unstoppable from the field, finishing with a blistering 60% shooting efficiency (35 of 58) and an exceptional 71% (20 of 28) in the second half alone. Malique Ewin provided the interior presence with a double-double, contributing 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Andrew Meadow matched Ewin’s scoring output with 14 points of his own. Fred Payne added a crucial 12 points and five assists, showcasing the balanced attack that overwhelmed the Grizzlies’ defense.
For Montana, Jordan Clark and Jalen Brown each dropped 19 points, hitting three three-pointers apiece, while Tyler Thompson added 14 points on four long-range makes. However, their efforts were not enough to counter Oregon’s second-half surge. The victory marks the debut for interim head coach Tony Stubblefield, who took over the program on Oct. 7 following Dana Altman’s retirement announcement. Stubblefield, returning to Eugene after three seasons at DePaul, guided his team to a confident start that signals a strong foundation for the upcoming Pacifc Conference campaign.
Source: Yahoo Sports
