Ducks Bounce Bulldogs 74-70
Rick Morgan

A year spent on the sidelines complying with NCAA transfer rules surely felt like two to Devoe Joseph. But with fall term complete and eligible to play for the first time since transferring from Minnesota, Joseph couldn't have asked for a better debut, scoring 18 points and leading the Ducks to a 74-70 win over Fresno State Saturday evening at Matthew Knight Arena.

"He's been waiting for a year to play," said head coach Dana Altman. "He's been a good player in practice. I was just hoping he would carry over from what he's been doing in practice to games. The only difference is he missed a few more shots than he's been missing in practice."

Devoe logged 29 minutes coming off the bench and admitted to experiencing some butterflies in the early going.

"I was very anxious," he said. "And I think I was a little awkward in the first half, but then I started playing with a lot of energy."

After missing a couple early attempts, Joseph shot 6 for 13 from the floor and dished out four assists.

Garrett Sim added 17 for the Ducks, shooting a perfect 5 for 5 from the floor - three from behind the stripe - and sinking all four of his free throws. E.J. Singler was the third Oregon player to reach double figures picking up 14 points on 5 for 9 from the floor and 4 for 5 from the line.

I think you see what he can provide for us," said Sim. "It's a big addition for our team . having Devoe is going to be great for this team."

Eleven first half turnovers sabotaged a 22-13 Oregon advantage midway through the opening stanza allowing Fresno State to take a brief lead before the Ducks took a 34-32 lead into the break.

The two teams traded the lead five times in the first 10 minutes of the second half when the tide turned Oregon's way. A three-ball from Sims gave Oregon the lead for good, but it was back to back three's from Joseph that set the tone down the stretch.

"I love to play with a lot of energy," he said. "During practice, the other guys got me ready for this day."

Nursing a three point lead inside the final minute and with the shot clock about to expire, Joseph was trying to create a shot opportunity along the baseline when he spotted E.J. Singler open on the wing.

"Anytime you get E.J. cutting toward you, he's Mr. Clutch and everyone knows it," said Joseph. "I had faith in him to knock down the shot."

Singler's soft floater gave the Ducks a two-possession lead and with the Bulldogs forced to foul, Sim hit a pair of free throws and Johnathan Loyd made one of two to improve Oregon's season record to 5-2.  

"I thought in some regards we took a step in the right direction," said Altman. "Especially with Devoe getting out there . We've got a long ways to go as a ball team . but we found a way to win, and Devoe was a big part of that."

The Ducks are back in action Monday evening hosting the Portland State Vikings at Matthew Knight Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.