Saturday, December 21, 2002
No. 5 Oregon 107, Florida A&M 66
By Andrew Hinkelman
The Associated Press
EUGENE, Ore. - Coming back home after an embarrassing loss, the fifth-ranked Oregon Ducks turned to their two Lukes to right the ship.
Luke Jackson had his second career triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and Luke Ridnour added 21 points as Oregon bounced back with a 107-66 romp over Florida A&M on Friday night.
On Tuesday night, Oregon lost to unranked Cincinnati 77-52 in East Rutherford, N.J.
"Our whole team was really frustrated after that last game," Jackson said. "It was good, though, to deal with something like that early in the season. I think our team will learn something from that game."
It was only the third triple-double in Ducks history. Ron Lee had the first in 1972 and Jackson had the second in 2001.
Since the Pac-10 Conference started keeping track, only two other players have had at least two triple-doubles - California's Jason Kidd, who had four, and Arizona's Loren Woods, who had two.
"I've always tried to play as an all-around player," Jackson said. "It feels good to be a part of a list with Jason Kidd and Loren Woods, both who are in the NBA."
Oregon (7-1) tied a school record with 30 assists on 39 field goals. The Ducks won their 21st consecutive game at home, the fifth-longest streak in the country and second-longest in school history.
"To have 30 assists on 39 baskets tells you something about the chemistry of this group," Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. "They felt bad about the (Cincinnati) loss and wanted to get this community behind them."
Jermaine Hill led the Rattlers (3-4) with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Terrence Woods added 11 points and six boards for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team, which was playing a Pac-10 opponent for the first time.
After a competitive opening nine minutes, the Ducks pulled away from an 18-16 game with a 16-2 run.
"I knew we were going to be a little stagnant starting the game," Kent said. "We traveled all night on Tuesday, but once we got our legs underneath us, I thought we were as impressive as we've been all along during the preseason."
Keyed by a relentless pressure defense, Oregon got transition opportunities and quick looks inside off the halfcourt set to break the Rattlers' spirit.
"It was good for us to get back on the court so quickly," Ridnour said. "Now we've got a huge test on Sunday."
By halftime, the Ducks had a 22-point lead and the focus was on Sunday's matchup with No. 25 Minnesota. The Gophers defeated Oregon 75-72 last year.
Oregon opened the second half with a 23-5 run.
The Ducks had six players in double-figures and five players had at least four assists.
Ian Crosswhite scored 18 points for Oregon. Robert Johnson had 13 points and eight rebounds, James Davis had 16 points and Andre Joseph had 13.
Oregon broke 100 points for the second time in three games.
The Rattlers return to their home state to play at Florida on Dec. 30.
XAVIER
Xavier 87, Ball State 58
NBA scouts watch, wait for West
UC BEARCATS
Maxiell learning to walk his talk
Bearcats Q&A
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Enquirer's Tipoff page
Five questions with Tubby Smith
Catching up with Ruben Patterson
Hawkins returns to UK point today
IU's Davis 0-for-Cats in career
UK-IU headed to Rupp Arena?
BG's Austin heads home on roll for Bearcat Invitational
Norse's Cottrell honored
No. 5 Oregon 107, Florida A&M 66
BENGALS
Want seats? Ticket holders don't
Jaded Bengals fans give kids a thrill
Saints watch McAllister and ask: Ricky who?
Team denies restructuring rumor
NFL
NFL implements rules to increase minority hiring
Dolphins try to maintain winning focus
FOOTBALL NOTES
Swarm tryouts to be held
Another Irish lineman out
BASEBALL
Selig wants Famers' perspective on Rose
Phils land Millwood after miss on Glavine
PREP SPORTS
Princeton tops West as unbeatens clash
Holmes fades in 4th quarter vs. Dunbar
OHIO ROUNDUP: Madeira survives overtime thriller
KENTUCKY ROUNDUP: Dixie holds off charging Boone
Blevins' return produces Goshen's perfect start
Wrestling: Lakota East's Johnson desires greatness
Prep results, schedules
REGIONAL NOTES
Former champ files suit in training fee dispute
Ducks tied for 2nd in Central
COLLEGES IN THE COURTROOM
Men's golf investigated at Minnesota
PLAN YOUR DAY
Weekend sports on TV