UPDATE: In a thrilling finish, the Oregon Ducks narrowly lost to the No. 24 USC Trojans, 82-77, on July 15, 2025, at Matthew Knight Arena. Despite a stellar performance from Kwame Evans Jr., who scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds, the Ducks struggled with critical free throw misses and defensive lapses in the final minutes.
Oregon, playing without star player Nate Bittle due to an ankle sprain, showcased their best shooting of the season with a 47.2% field goal percentage and a season-high 43.5% from three-point range. However, a lack of defensive intensity and missed opportunities at the free throw line proved costly, as they fell to 4-4 for the season.
“This was one of our best efforts, but we need to play smarter,” said head coach Dana Altman, expressing frustration over the team’s failure to stick to their game plan against USC, which averages over 90 points per game. “My job is to get my team to do what we need to win, and I haven’t done it,” he added.
The Ducks briefly took the lead at 61-60 with just over eight minutes remaining, but USC quickly reclaimed control and never looked back. Chad Baker-Mazara led the Trojans with 25 points, including a critical three-pointer in the closing minute.
Oregon’s defense faltered down the stretch, allowing USC to dominate the boards with a second-half rebounding advantage of 23-12. Despite several attempts to close the gap in the final minutes, the Ducks went cold, missing five consecutive shots after starting strong.
Evans acknowledged the team’s need to rally and trust Altman’s leadership. “We have to start trusting coach more. Once we start doing that, it will fix a lot of our miscues on the court,” he stated, underscoring the urgency for improvement as the Ducks prepare for their next matchup against UCLA.
As Oregon grapples with this defeat, fans and analysts alike are left wondering how the Ducks will regroup and tackle their upcoming challenges, particularly if Bittle can return to action. The next game will be crucial for Oregon to regain momentum and confidence after four consecutive losses.
Stay tuned for updates as Oregon aims to bounce back in their next contest against UCLA this Saturday.
