BREAKING: The Oregon Ducks suffered a close 82-77 defeat against the No. 24 USC Trojans on July 15, 2025, at Matthew Knight Arena, despite a stellar performance from Kwame Evans Jr. who scored 23 points.
The Ducks, missing their key player Nate Bittle due to an ankle sprain, showcased their best shooting game of the season, hitting 47.2% from the field and a remarkable 43.5% from three-point range. However, critical free throw misses and defensive lapses proved fatal in the closing minutes.
With just 3 minutes remaining, Oregon struggled to maintain momentum, missing five consecutive shots and failing to convert crucial free throws. Head Coach Dana Altman expressed frustration over the team’s quick-shot tendencies, emphasizing the need for better ball movement after a month of similar struggles.
“My job is to get my team to do what we need to do to win,” Altman stated. “I’m not doing it.”
Evans carried the team, scoring 16 of his 23 points in the second half and pulling down nine rebounds. He briefly put the Ducks ahead 61-60 with 8:03 left but could not hold off the Trojans’ resurgence, led by Chad Baker-Mazara who scored 25 points and hit key shots down the stretch.
The Ducks’ defense faltered, allowing USC to dominate the boards with a 23-12 rebounding advantage in the second half. Despite Oregon’s attempts to close the gap, they fell short, unable to capitalize on critical possessions.
Evans voiced concerns over team trust, stating, “We have to start trusting coach more… Once we start doing that I think it’ll fix a lot of our miscues on the court.” With this loss, Oregon now faces a daunting challenge as they aim to regroup before their upcoming game against UCLA.
Looking ahead, the Ducks (4-4) will need to reassess their strategy and execution to avoid a fifth consecutive loss. With Bittle’s potential return, the team is hopeful for a turnaround. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Oregon seeks to regain stability in their season.
