In the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks delivered a commanding performance, defeating the No. 12 seed Liberty Flames 81-52 on Friday, March 21, at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena.
First Half: Oregon Establishes Dominance
Oregon set the tone early, with freshman guard Jackson Shelstad leading the charge by scoring 15 of his 17 points in the first half. The Ducks' aggressive defense and efficient offense resulted in a substantial 44-20 lead at halftime, effectively stifling Liberty's scoring opportunities.
Second Half: Ducks Maintain Control
The second half saw Oregon maintaining their momentum, with contributions from multiple players. The Ducks' depth and versatility were on full display, preventing any potential comeback from the Flames.
Key Performances
Jackson Shelstad (Oregon): Led all scorers with 17 points, showcasing his offensive prowess early in the game.
Keeshawn Barthelemy (Oregon): Added 14 points, providing a consistent scoring option throughout the game.
Nate Bittle (Oregon): Contributed 12 points, bolstering the Ducks' interior presence.
Team Statistics
Shooting Efficiency: Oregon displayed remarkable accuracy, shooting over 50% from the field and converting 12 of 25 three-point attempts.
Rebounding Dominance: The Ducks controlled the boards, limiting Liberty's second-chance opportunities and asserting their physicality.
Defensive Prowess: Oregon's defense held the Flames to 33.3% shooting from the field, effectively neutralizing their offensive threats.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Oregon advances to the Round of 32, where they will face the No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats, who defeated Akron 93-65 in their first-round matchup. The Ducks aim to continue their strong tournament run, building on their impressive first-round performance.
Liberty concludes its season with a 28-7 record, reflecting on a campaign that included a Conference USA Tournament championship and their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
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