Washington Huskies edge Oregon Ducks in close Big Ten matchup

The Huskies defeated the Ducks 72-70 in a tight game at Matthew Knight Arena.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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In a close Big Ten matchup, the Washington Huskies (15-15, 7-12 Big Ten) defeated the Oregon Ducks (11-19, 4-15 Big Ten) by a score of 72-70 at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon. The Huskies were 1.5-point underdogs heading into the game, but managed to pull out the victory in a tightly contested affair.

Why it matters

This game was an important conference matchup between two Big Ten rivals. The win helps the Huskies improve their conference record, while the loss is another setback for the struggling Ducks in what has been a disappointing season for the program.

The details

The game was close throughout, with neither team able to pull away. Washington led by as many as 6 points in the second half, but Oregon fought back to tie the game late. In the final minute, the Huskies made a couple of key plays to secure the narrow victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 11 p.m. ET.
  • This was the final regular season game for both teams before the Big Ten tournament.

The players

Washington Huskies

The Washington Huskies are a Division I college basketball team that competes in the Big Ten Conference.

Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks are a Division I college basketball team that also competes in the Big Ten Conference.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a conference rival, but our guys really battled and made the plays we needed to get the win.”

— Mike Hopkins, Head Coach, Washington Huskies (mauinow.com)

“It's a tough loss, but we'll regroup and get ready for the Big Ten tournament. We have to find a way to finish games like this down the stretch.”

— Dana Altman, Head Coach, Oregon Ducks (mauinow.com)

What’s next

Both teams will now turn their attention to the upcoming Big Ten tournament, where they will look to make a run and secure an NCAA Tournament bid.

The takeaway

This close conference matchup between the Huskies and Ducks showcased the competitiveness of the Big Ten this season. While Oregon has struggled, Washington was able to pull out a narrow victory on the road, demonstrating the parity in the league.