EUGENE — For the first time this season, Oregon’s core trio each had the kind of performances they’re fully capable of and allowed the Ducks to pull away from Oregon State.
Nate Bittle had 24 points and seven rebounds, Jackson Shelstad scored 22 and Kwame Evans Jr. had 16 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in an 87-75 Oregon win Monday night at Matthew Knight Arena.
It was the second 20-point game of the season for Bittle and the best shooting night of the season for Shelstad, who scored all 12 of his second-half points after OSU got within three. But it was the effort of Evans that proved most significant.
The junior forward shot 3 of 6 from the field and 10 of 14 at the free throw line. On a night the Ducks won the rebounding battle 38-27, it was Evans who made that happen.
“He pounded the boards there and did a tremendous job,” Oregon coach Dana Altman said. “His activity enabled him to get to the line and made a lot of big rebounds for us. Even a couple that other guys got he kept alive. His activity there when he’s playing that hard and keeping hands on balls with his length, makes a huge difference.”
Evans has averaged 4.8 rebounds over his career, but saw a huge uptick to 7.8 boards over the final eight games of last season. Monday’s performance matched his season total in rebounds through the first three games of the season.
“When he goes to the boards like that, it gets everybody going and it gets him going,” Shelstad said. “We’re going to need him to play, especially these next (three) games in Vegas.”
Shelstad shot 7 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 10 from three, and was 4 of 4 at the free throw line. He took over the game during the final 11 minutes, though, and Oregon (4-0) pulled away for its ninth straight win in the series.
“I feel like shots started dropping for me,” Shelstad said. “They’re eventually going to drop if I take the right shots. Once I see one go down, I get my confidence going. I was trying to be aggressive in the second half, trying to make a little run, make the right plays.”
Bittle went 7 of 9 from the field, including 2 of 2 from three, and 8 of 10 from the free throw line for his second 20-point game in the rivalry. The fifth-year senior from Central Point was on the roster for all nine of UO’s consecutive wins over OSU and played in six of them.
“I like this game a lot and moving forward, I’ll definitely come back and watch more of these games as long as they’re happening,” Bittle said. “Coach (Wayne) Tinkle, he does a great job with his team. I have a lot of respect for him; he recruited me when I was going through the recruiting process. A super nice guy and I wish the best for him and his team.”
The prowess of Oregon’s three most experienced players helped produce a season-best 47.2% shooting from the field and 41.7% from three.
The Ducks had several days of practice between games and will have another week before heading to Las Vegas to face No. 22 Auburn, San Diego State and an opponent to be determined.
Altman wants to see improved ball movement and physicality, which will be especially tested by Auburn, and having Bittle, Evans and Shelstad playing like seasoned players is critical to the team’s success early in the season.
“If those three guys don’t play really good, it’s not going to happen for us here early,” Altman said. “We might be able to get away with it in January and February, them not playing well, but you saw what happened with Hawaii when Jackson didn’t play and even Rice when Jackson didn’t shoot it good and was a little off his game.
“We need his experience at the guard spot. Nate, he’s been here forever. He’s got to play good. KJ hadn’t been going to the boards like that and he did a tremendous job getting to the boards tonight. When he plays like that, he’s a different player.”
