Saint Joseph’s Nearly Upset Top-Seeded Oregon in NCAA Tournament
St. Joseph’s Hawks forward DeAndre Bembry moves to the basket against Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher during the second half of their second-round matchup in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Saint Joseph‘s didn’t get a shot off on two late game possessions and lost to top-seeded Oregon in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 69-64.
The Hawks were down just two with just under a minute left, but they couldn’t beat the shot clock. Then, down three with 10 seconds left, DeAndre’ Bembry turned it over at the top of the key. The two possessions were the difference in the loss.
Bembry scored 16 and had 12 rebounds to lead the Hawks in both categories. Isaiah Miles, the Hawks’ leading scorer, had just 8 points. Off the bench, Lamarr Kimble had 11 for Joe’s.
Oregon advances to face Duke in the Sweet 16.
Saint Joseph’s erased a double-digit deficit midway through the second half with a 10-0 run that tied the game at 45. The Hawks took their first lead on a Kimble three-pointer with just over eight minutes left. Joe’s actually extended its lead to seven, 58-51, with 5:23 left. But Oregon fought back to retake the lead.
The Hawks, who averaged 77.3 points a game this season, scored just 27 points in the first half. Oregon was led by Dillon Brooks, who scored 25 points. Elgin Cook also had 18 for the Ducks.
St. Joseph’s loss means Villanova is the only Philadelphia team still alive in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats play Miami on Thursday.
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