Jackson Shelstad Leads Oregon With Career-High vs USC | Extended Highlights | December 28, 2023

Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans Jr. weren't the freshmen Thursday's national audience sat down to watch. However, those two were the ones worth talking about following Oregon's 82-74 win over USC on Thursday night.

Both true freshmen set new career scoring highs to help the team to a win in their Pac-12 debut. Evans finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and five steals, while Shelstad reached 21 points.

"They played really good," head coach Dana Altman said after the win. "They played really hard. KJ's activity was really good — 7-for-7 from the line. Jackson was 5-for-7 down the stretch. They played really well on a night we needed them to."

Not only did the duo lead the way for the Ducks (9-3, 1-0) in scoring, but they did so on efficient shooting nights. Evans knocked in 6-of-8 shots and also put down a season-high three triples, while Shelstad made 7-of-12 shots and also put down key free throws last to seal the victory.

"Being the point guard, I've got to be the leader and hit those free throws," Shelstad said.

The pair outperformed USC (6-6, 0-1) star freshmen Isaiah Collier, the nation's No. 1 overall recruit and Bronny James, the son of one of the sport's greatest players. Collier scored 11 points and James was held to five in 14 minutes.

The win lifts the team to 7-0 at Matthew Knight Arena, where a crowd of 8,934 on Thursday helped push the team to the finish line as the game tightened up late.

"Man, the crowd was really good. I don't know what the numbers were. I don't care. The people who were here were really good. The second half they made that run, and they kept our energy level going," Altman said.

The Ducks pieced together a strong 20 minutes of basketball to start, and carried a 17-point lead into intermission. It was an impressive half on both ends of the court. Oregon knocked in six threes, while shooting near 50%, while USC went 7-of-22 from the field and had 10 turnovers.

"I was really happy with our first half. We had 24 deflections. We caused 10 turnovers. Our activity was so good," Altman said of their first half defense. " I thought we lost a little energy in the second half."

Andy Enfield's team opened the second half on a tear. A five-point opening USC possession set the tone for the 49 scored over those 20 minutes. The Trojans used a 12-3 run to force an Altman timeout less than four minutes into the half with the team's lead down to single-figures.

While USC continued to pour it on for the half's duration, Oregon maintained control thanks to timely baskets. The Trojans never cut it closer than four — which they reached in the final minute.

"Other teams are going to go on runs, but we've got to stay poised and still run our offense and do what we do," Shelstad said.

Evans and Shelstad contributed to those well-timed scores. A pair of Evans triples pushed the lead back to 11 with 12:35 left, and Shelstad canned 4-of-6 end-of-game free throws.

Altman lauded the way Evans has improved his physicality since being thrust into a more post-oriented role with N'Faly Dante and Nate Bittle down with injury.

"He started the year wanting to be on the perimeter all the time, and that would've been OK if we had Dante and Nate, but, things have dictated that he played more inside, and so he's gradually taken on that role," he explained. "It was just a really good game for a freshman... I couldn't have asked for anything more. "

Evans' play has been a necessity for a team that is down so many key players.

"We really needed it. When they went down, I had to step up. When Altman talked to me, he wanted me to play physically and with a lot of effort," he said.

Leading scorer Jermaine Cousinard managed 13 points on an off-shooting night (3-of-10), and Kario Oquendo chipped in with 15 off the bench.

Senior guard Keeshawn Barthelemy returned to the court after an ankle injury had forced him to miss the previous two games. Altman said he learned he'd been cleared during shootaround.

"He only played 15 minutes, but we've got to him back on the floor," he said. "He can score. He can handle the ball. He can guard when he wants to. That's one of the guys who needs to get more minutes."

The Ducks will host UCLA on Saturday at 1 PM. The game is set to be broadcast on CBS.