Jackson Shelstad scored 17 factors on 7-of-11 capturing to assist fifth-seeded Oregon trounce Twelfth-seeded Liberty 81-52 on Friday evening in East Area first-round play of the NCAA Event at Seattle.
Nate Bittle contributed 14 factors and 10 rebounds and Keeshawn Barthelemy added 10 factors for the Geese (25-9), who by no means trailed whereas successful for the ninth time previously 10 video games.
Oregon will play fourth-seeded Arizona on Sunday for a spot within the Candy 16. The Geese and Wildcats had been a part of the identical convention till each groups exited the Pac-12 earlier than the 2024 soccer season.
Zach Cleveland had 10 factors, six rebounds and 6 assists for Liberty (28-7), which misplaced for simply the second time previously 13 video games.
Oregon has received not less than one sport in every of its final 9 NCAA Event appearances.
The Geese shot 54.4 % from the sector, together with 10 of 21 from 3-point vary. TJ Bamba had 4 of Oregon’s 11 steals.
Liberty made 32.8 % of its pictures and linked on a dismal 8 of 37 from behind the arc.
Shelstad scored 15 first-half factors to assist Oregon maintain a 44-20 lead on the break.
Shelstad tallied eight factors in a game-opening 18-2 burst because the Geese instantly took management.
Shelstad buried a jumper halfway via the half to make it 27-8.
Liberty moved inside 13 earlier than Bittle scored seven straight factors to present the Geese a 34-14 lead with 5:17 left within the half.
Shelstad had a private 5-0 run to finish the half, hitting a jumper with 41 seconds remaining and drilling a trey with 5 seconds left to make it a 24-point margin.
Brandon Angel’s basket made it 50-24 with 17:39 left within the sport.
The Flames scored seven of the subsequent 9 factors with Taelon Peter’s 3-pointer chopping the deficit to 21 with 14:42 left.
Kwame Evans Jr. made a hook shot to place the lead over 30 for the primary time at 62-31 with 9:57 to play.
Huge man Bittle drained a trey to get the lead again to 30 with 5:02 remaining. Oregon led by as many as 34 whereas ending its game-long assault.
–Area Stage Media