Loyd Leads Ducks Past Miners
Rick Morgan

Johnathon Loyd's 24 points were just enough for Oregon to slip past the UTEP Miners 64-59 Tuesday evening at Matthew Knight Arena.

Oregon wasn't sharp - perhaps stunned to learn another teammate had left the program. Head coach Dana Altman announced after the game freshman Bruce Barron had joined roommate Jabari Brown as an ex-Duck a month into the season.

"We're moving on with the 13 we've got." said Altman of Barron's sudden departure.

Transfer Devoe Joeseph becomes eligible next week and will join Loyd, Garrett Sim and Brett Kingma in Oregon's guard rotation.

"He's been waiting a year, he'll be ready," said Altman.

They certainly weren't ready Tuesday night. The Miners were quicker to the ball at every step in the opening 20 minutes and 10 first half turnovers did nothing to further the Ducks cause.

Five of those from Loyd - who offered a post game vow to never to have that many again.

Loyd redeemed his butterfingered first half with a magnificent four for four shooting mark from behind the arc in the second half, giving the Ducks an offensive spark they had been lacking. The sophomore point guard ended the night shooting 8-11 overall and 6-7 from behind the stripe. And zero second half turnovers.

Still the Miner's hung close. A pair of thunderous dunks by Olu Ashaolu helped push Oreogn's second half margin to nine only to see the defense give up baskets to UTEP on baseline drives or open jump shots.

Michael Perez nearly matched Loyd's sharp shooting for the Miners, going 8-12 and finishing with 18 points to pace the visitors.

The Miners outworked the Ducks on the boards 31-29 including 10 on the offensive end.

Oregon improved to 4-1 with the win.