Indiana men’s basketball’s players slowly trotted off the court Tuesday night as a crucial opportunity slipped from their fingertips. The Hoosiers led with less than two minutes remaining, but stumbled to the finish the line, falling short of a late-season Quad 1 win on the road.
Despite entering with hopes of bolstering their NCAA Tournament aspirations, the Hoosiers saw their three-game win streak screech to a halt with a 73-64 loss to Oregon inside Matthew Knight Arena in Euguene, Oregon.
The Ducks shot just 24% from the 3-point line in a combined 6 for 25 performance from beyond the arc. Regardless, they used 23 second-chance points and a 19-for-21 shooting effort from the charity stripe to overcome a surging Indiana squad.
Fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway led the Hoosiers in the losing effort with 16 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo added a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Oregon led for almost 17 minutes in the first half. The Ducks held a 9-point advantage with just over six minutes remaining in the period, but Indiana responded with a 12-2 run to take a 2-point lead of its own. Ultimately, the Hoosiers’ 1 for 5 showing from the free throw line proved to be significant as Oregon took a 35-32 lead into the half.
Indiana found success from deep in a back-and-forth second half with six 3-pointers. Galloway provided the Hoosiers with their most crucial shot from beyond the arc, when he converted a catch-and-shoot attempt with just under two minutes remaining in the game to give them a 64-63 lead.
However, the Ducks had an answer.
On the ensuing possession, sophomore guard Jackson Shelstad drained a 3-pointer from the logo with the shot clock winding down to regain the advantage — one that Oregon held onto for the remainder of the game.
The Ducks finished the game with a 10-0 run to secure the victory.
Indiana will wrap up the regular season when it returns home for a rematch with Ohio State on Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers defeated the Buckeyes 77-76 in overtime Jan. 17.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) and columnist Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
