Oregon needed a performance like this. Not because blowing out a Big Sky opponent is how the Ducks measure themselves, but with powerhouse Houston coming to town on Sunday the questions about defense and shooting needed to be quelled for at least a few days.
Kel’el Ware had 16 points and seven rebounds and Will Richardson (12) and Quincy Guerrier (11) each aided in a 81-51 Oregon win over Montana State Tuesday night at Matthew Knight Arena.
Ware scored nine of his points in the first half and he and Richardson each had five points amid a 15-2 run in the first half as Oregon (2-1) took a 34-22 lead into the break.
The Ducks opened the second half with an 18-5 run and never looked back. Nate Bittle and Keeshawn Barthelemy each had 10 points for UO, which held MSU’s Jubrile Belo, a preseason all-conference selection, scoreless with one rebound and one assist with four turnovers in 13 minutes.
RaeQuan Battle, formerly of Washington, had 20 points for Montana State (1-2). Battle was 8 of 17 from the field and 3 of 3 at the line for the Bobcats, who shot just 32.2% from the field and 26.2% without his contributions.
The Oregonian/OregonLive will update this story.
