2025 Basketball Recap: Ducks Rally to Top Maryland in Thrilling Comeback

The Oregon Ducks delivered a dramatic turnaround Sunday afternoon, erasing memories of a tough loss three days earlier with a resilient 83-79 victory over Maryland. Overcoming a 13-point first-half deficit, the No. 9 Oregon men’s basketball team showcased grit and timely execution to notch a statement win at Matthew Knight Arena.

Freshman standouts Kel’el Ware and Jackson Shelstad combined for 39 points on efficient 14-of-20 shooting to lead the Ducks. Shelstad was electric, hitting his first seven shots, including five three-pointers, en route to a team-high 23 points. His clutch scoring and defensive effort helped Oregon outlast a determined Maryland squad down the stretch.

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Game Recap

The game began ominously for Oregon, with Maryland racing to a 30-17 lead. But the Ducks found their rhythm late in the first half, sparked by Brandon Angel’s basket that ignited a 13-2 run. Shelstad drained two three-pointers during the surge, and a triple by teammate Nate Bittle trimmed the deficit to just three points. Maryland briefly pushed its lead back to eight, but Oregon closed the half with key buckets from Keeshawn Barthelemy and Jadrian Tracey, trailing just 45-42 at intermission.

Oregon carried that momentum into the second half. Barthelemy opened the period with a three-pointer, followed by his second-chance points that fueled a game-changing 14-0 run. Barthelemy capped the surge with another basket, giving Oregon a 56-47 advantage. The Ducks extended their lead to nine points on a Kwame Evans Jr. three-pointer before Maryland mounted a final push.

The Terrapins stormed back with a 17-5 run, briefly reclaiming the lead at 69-66. But Oregon’s defense clamped down, holding Maryland to just 1-of-12 shooting during a crucial stretch. Tracey’s three-pointer and Evans’ second-chance layup put the Ducks back on top, and Barthelemy’s timely triple gave Oregon a lead they would not relinquish.

The final minutes featured even more drama. With the game tied at 76, Maryland missed a dunk, and Bittle delivered a crucial block on the ensuing possession. Barthelemy’s three-pointer broke the deadlock, and Maryland’s ill-timed attempt to call a timeout they didn’t have resulted in a technical foul. Shelstad sank the free throws to seal the victory.

Up Next

The Ducks will look to carry their momentum into Thursday’s matchup at Ohio State (3 p.m., Big Ten Network).