Ducks Record Road Win at Maryland, Finish Road Trip at Rutgers

Oregon's 64-54 win at Maryland on Jan. 4 gave the Ducks their first road win and first conference victory of the season, a milestone that underscores progress as the team begins the bulk of its Pac-12 schedule. Nate Bittle and Takai Simpkins paced the effort, each scoring 16 points; Bittle added seven rebounds and five blocks while Simpkins contributed seven rebounds and four assists. Baltimore native Kwame Evans Jr. chipped in 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds, and reserve Jamari Phillips delivered a season-high six points including a career-best two made three-pointers off the bench.

The road trip concluded with a game at Rutgers on Monday, Jan. 5. The Jan. 5 contest was broadcast nationally on Peacock and carried locally on KUJZ 95.3 FM in Eugene and KRSK 105.1 FM in Portland, allowing Lane County listeners to follow the Ducks away from Matthew Knight Arena.

The Maryland victory continued a defensive and rebounding emphasis that had been evident in Oregon's final game of 2025, a commanding 80-57 win over Omaha. In that contest Bittle delivered a 26-point performance on 9-of-15 shooting while adding nine rebounds and five blocks. Sean Stewart posted a career-high 13 rebounds with eight points and two steals. Guard Dezdrick Lindsay recorded a career-best seven assists along with five points and five rebounds, and forward Ege Demir added 10 rebounds, five points and three blocks in just 16 minutes. Oregon tied a season high with 47 rebounds in the Omaha game and outscored Omaha 36-18 in the paint, signaling the interior production that has been central to recent success.

Oregon's meeting with Rutgers on Jan. 5 was the fourth all-time between the programs; the Ducks lead the series 2-1. In last season's matchup in Eugene Oregon won 75-57, a game highlighted by Jackson Shelstad's 19 points and a 15-point, 10-rebound, five-block effort from Bittle, with Kwame Evans Jr. contributing eight points and four rebounds off the bench.

For Lane County residents, the recent stretch offers tangible takeaways: Oregon's frontcourt has been a consistent source of points, rebounds and rim protection, and local radio and streaming access have kept fans connected to road action. As the Ducks settle into conference play, those components will be key indicators for community supporters monitoring team performance and prospects through the remainder of the season.