The Oregon Ducks and Liberty Flames faced off in an anticipated NCAA Tournament first-round matchup on March 21, 2025, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, captured the attention of college basketball fans across the nation. Heading into the tournament, Oregon was riding a wave of momentum, having secured eight victories in their last nine games, while Liberty entered the contest as Conference USA champions, looking to spring an upset.
The Ducks, seeded No. 5, were favored against the No. 12 seed Flames, especially with their star center Nate Bittle. Bittle's formidable presence in the paint was expected to be a major asset for Oregon. According to various sources, both teams were vying for a spot in the Round of 32, with the winner advancing to play either the No. 4 seed Arizona or No. 13 seed Akron on March 23.
The game began at 10:10 PM ET and was broadcast on truTV and available for streaming on Sling TV. Within the game's first few minutes, Oregon established dominance, racing to a 13-2 lead, converting several baskets, including three 3-pointers by Keeshawn Barthelemy and Jackson Shelstad. Liberty, on the other hand, struggled offensively, faltering to a shooting percentage of just 25% in the first half and missing its first nine attempts from beyond the arc.
As the contest unfolded, Oregon maintained their momentum, leading 27-11 with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half. Moreover, they demonstrated remarkable defense, forcing turnovers and capitalizing with fast breaks, leading to an impressive 52-31 score at halftime. In the closing seconds of the first half, Shelstad further embarrassed the Flames by making a jumper and draining another 3-pointer, giving him a total of 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting for the half.
The second half began with Oregon's defense continuing to stifle Liberty, but as the game progressed, the Flames managed to find a small glimmer of hope. They strung together a couple of solid defensive stops and slowly chipped into the Ducks' lead, bringing the score to 52-43. However, the Ducks bounced back quickly and saw Bittle extend their lead with two more layups, pushing the score to 60-43.
This determined effort evidently upset the Flames' momentum, as Oregon's defense once again tightened. The Ducks' bench players performed admirably, contributing significantly to the overall score. After a strong run, they held Liberty to just 13 points in the second half while boasting a shooting percentage of 55% from the field. The final score reflected Oregon's strength, with the game concluding at 77-65.
Oregon's victory not only sent them to the second round but also kept Dana Altman’s astounding record intact. Under Altman, the Ducks have emerged victorious in all of their first-round games in NCAA Tournament history, going a perfect 9-0.
Oregon outperformed Liberty in every facet of the game, demonstrating dominance on offense and defense alike. The Ducks' final statistics were as follows: shooting 55% from the field, making 55% from beyond the arc, shooting 22 rebounds, and committing only seven turnovers. In comparison, Liberty hit just 25% from the field with an abysmal 13% from three-point range (landing only 1-of-9 attempts).
Notable performances included Jackson Shelstad's impressive 15 points and Nate Bittle's near double-double with 9 points and 8 rebounds. For Liberty, Kaden Metheny and Zach Cleveland emerged as the top scorers, each contributing 6 points but lacking the success needed to propel their team further.
The game also provided a thrilling preview of what to expect in the subsequent rounds. With Oregon's offense remaining explosive and defensively holding their opponents to a minimum, they stand poised to capture their march momentum as they head into the next round. This game held significant meaning not only in the context of the tournament, but also as a testament to both teams' journeys this season.
In conclusion, the Ducks have secured their place in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, showcasing the combined efforts of strategy, individual talent, and teamwork needed to achieve success in March Madness. Fans will be eager to see how far Oregon can go in their 2025 tournament campaign.
