The 2019 Phil Knight Invitational saw the Oregon Ducks and Memphis Tigers battle in a Top-15 matchup. Top 2019 recruit James Wiseman did play for Memphis despite questions about his college eligibility. The Oregon Ducks would win the game against Memphis 82-74. Oregon’s Shakur Juiston led all scorers with 17 points and also chipped in 10 rebounds.
Clutch.@fastpp3 hits a HUGE three to put the Ducks up 8 with a minute to play. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/Qr7qPJAFza
— Oregon Men’s Basketball (@OregonMBB) November 13, 2019
Upperclassman point guard Payton Pritchard’s late-game heroics would end any hopes of a Memphis comeback. The Ducks led a majority of the game and managed to pull away each time Memphis managed to cut it close or even take a small lead. Oregon got off to a fast start in the 2019 Phil Knight Invitational and would fight off a number of Memphis comeback attempts. Memphis gained a led a few times, but a few mistakes would lead to massive Oregon duck runs.
James Wiseman was held in check in the first half due to foul trouble but ended the night with 14 points and 12 assists. Lester Quinones led Memphis with 16 points. Oregon largely controlled the game throughout and some mistakes by young players ended their chances late for a potential comeback. The key to the game for the Ducks was taking advantage in transition and scoring on inexperienced underclassmen because of defensive breakdowns.
Season-highs now in points, rebounds and made FGs for Shakur Juiston as he’s 8-for-13 with 17 points and 10 boards.
Ducks hold a 65-61 lead with 7:22 to go. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/H8kBJdHgIk
— Oregon Men’s Basketball (@OregonMBB) November 13, 2019
The Ducks move to 3-0 on the year and look poised to compete in a better PAC-12 this year. Memphis falls to 2-1 and show off some expected growing pains, but look to only improve from here on out. The Ducks will take on UT Arlington on Sunday while Memphis will challenge Alcorn State on Saturday.
