Kwame Evans Jr.'s Late Surge Propels Oregon Past Washington in Wild Finale
Kwame Evans Jr.'s Late Surge Propels Oregon Past Washington in Wild Finale
In a regular-season finale that defied logic, Kwame Evans Jr. saved the Oregon Ducks from a historic collapse. Oregon surrendered a 21-point lead and trailed Washington 79-76 with under 30 seconds to play at Matthew Knight Arena on Saturday night. However, Evans Jr. scored nine points in just 11 seconds, including a game-tying three-pointer and a series of technical free throws, to secure an 85-79 victory for the Ducks. The win allows Oregon (12-19, 5-15 Big Ten) to enter the postseason with newfound confidence after a difficult conference slate.
Evans Jr. finished with 20 points and seven rebounds, leading an Oregon attack that was red-hot in the first half before cooling off significantly. The Ducks connected on eight three-pointers in the opening period to build a 44-30 halftime lead. However, the offense stagnated in the second half, allowing Washington to claw their way back. It took Evans Jr.’s late-game heroics, including a perfect 11-of-13 performance from the free-throw line, to prevent the Huskies from stealing a victory on Oregon’s Senior Day.
Washington's Comeback Falls Short Despite Steinbach's Dominance
The Washington Huskies (15-16, 7-13 Big Ten) nearly pulled off the comeback of the season behind a career-best performance from Hannes Steinbach. The big man was immovable in the paint, recording his fourth straight double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Steinbach’s efficiency kept the Huskies alive as they chipped away at the Ducks' lead, finally taking a 75-74 advantage late in the second half following a 29-8 run.
Freshmen Zoom Diallo and Wesley Yates III also contributed 14 points apiece, with Yates providing the defensive pressure that fueled the Huskies' transition game. However, the final moments proved chaotic for Washington; after Evans Jr. tied the game, a controversial foul call and subsequent technical fouls assessed to the Washington bench allowed Oregon to ice the game at the charity stripe. The loss ends a rollercoaster regular season for the Huskies, who now head to the Big Ten Tournament as a lower seed.
Oregon Honors Seniors Amid Tournament Prep
Despite the late-game drama, the evening concluded with an emotional ceremony honoring Oregon’s seniors, including Nate Bittle and Takai Simpkins. Bittle was a vital contributor to the win, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Simpkins added 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Coach Dana Altman acknowledged the season’s struggles but emphasized that winning the finale provides a necessary spark before they travel to Chicago to face Maryland on Tuesday.
The Ducks' season-long battle with consistency was evident in the 21-point swing, but the emergence of Kwame Evans Jr. as a clutch closer provides a silver lining. Oregon shot 53% for the game and showed they can compete with anyone when their perimeter shots are falling. As they prepare for the Big Ten Tournament, the Ducks will need more of the first-half efficiency and Evans Jr.’s late-game poise to make noise in the postseason.
