Mike Dunigan could only smile when asked how it felt to have played the best game of his young career. The sophomore center has yet to establish a consistent inside option for the Duck's offense but perhaps took his first significant step toward resolving that concern, helping Oregon defeat Oakland 72-60 Saturday night at McArthur Court.
With a game plan to attack the Golden Grizzlies best player - center Keith Benson (avg. 18 points, 11 rebounds) - in the hope of getting him in foul trouble, Oregon went to Dunigan early. Benson drew his second foul five minutes in to the contest and was whistled for his third with eight minutes left in the half. Dunigan took full advantage, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a career high 26 minutes of playing time.
"It feels good get a ?W'," said Dunigan. "It is basically just figure out who's got the hot hand every night and going to that person all the time. We really don't have a star on the team. To me, all our players are stars and we are capable of going off any night. Any one of us."
"I knew this team was going to play well," said head coach Ernie Kent. "Because they have practiced so well. They just keep getting a little better and a little bit better. The result was very good for us tonight because they put a lot of time and a lot of work in and they are starting to grow as a basketball team."
"I just thought they played very, very good basketball, particularly defensively against a really good scoring offensive team. The difference in the game was our defense . we stepped up and that last six minutes was an exceptional way to close out a game for a young basketball team."
When Kent looks at the game film he will see it was the last seven minutes of play that pleased him. Leading by a bucket 50-48, Garrett Sim and Jamil Wilson hit back to back treys to move the Ducks in front by eight.
A pair of lay-ups by Malcolm Armstead pushed the lead to a dozen and that was apparently the magic number for Oakland's head coach Greg Kampe. Taking exception to a charging call that went against his player, Kampe was tagged with a technical foul. While E.J. Singer was converting the first of the two free throws, Kampe continued to press his point and was hit with another technical and ejected.
Singler hit the remaining three free throws and Oregon wouldn't be caught.
Armstead and Jeremy Jacobs each pitched in a dozen points to join Dunigan in double figures and freshman forward Singler grabbed a career high 12 boards.
Tajuan Porter returned to the line-up after missing time due to his injured ankle but was held scoreless in 17 minutes of play.
"They are starting to get better," said Kent of his team. "We've started to get more confidence, we score it better all over the floor. Defensively they were exceptional in the game. They are starting to understand some things. They are getting mentally tougher, they don't break down as much. They are starting to grow."
Dunigan seconded the thought. "I hope so," he said. "That way I can keep pushing forward."
The Ducks - and Dunigan - will get their next chance to build on this performance when Idaho State comes calling for a 7:00 pm tip on Tuesday.
