Ducks Down Huskies in Exciting Finish

Late-game heroics from Kwame Evans Jr. lead Oregon to victory over Washington

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Oregon Ducks defeated the Washington Huskies 85-79 in a dramatic finish at Matthew Knight Arena on Saturday night. Kwame Evans Jr. scored nine points in the final 11 seconds, including a crucial and-one three-pointer and five free throws, to propel the Ducks to victory on Senior Night.

Why it matters

The win marks a dramatic end to the regular season for both teams, with Oregon nearly squandering a 21-point lead before Evans Jr.'s late-game heroics. The game also honored Oregon's senior players, who have contributed significantly to the program.

The details

Oregon started the game strong, building a 44-30 halftime lead behind 57.7% shooting from the field and 8-of-13 from three-point range. However, Washington mounted a determined comeback in the second half, led by Hannes Steinbach's game-high 26 points and 13 rebounds. The Huskies briefly took the lead with 24 seconds remaining, but Evans Jr.'s clutch performance sealed the victory for the Ducks.

  • Oregon honored its seniors - Nate Bittle, Drew Carter, Oleksandr Kobzystyi, Takai Simpkins, and Miles Stewart - prior to the game.
  • Kwame Evans Jr. scored nine points in the final 11 seconds of the game.

The players

Kwame Evans Jr.

The undeniable hero for the Ducks, scoring nine points in the final 11 seconds of the game to lead Oregon to victory.

Hannes Steinbach

Spearheaded the Huskies' comeback, scoring a game-high 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Nate Bittle

Added 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for the Ducks.

Takai Simpkins

Contributed 18 points for the Ducks.

Drew Carter

Chipped in 10 points for the Ducks.

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What they’re saying

“It was the ultimate feeling. I wanted to come through for the seniors. The possessions before that weren't too good, but something had to fall. It was really great to acquire the win and hit my free throws. It was a tough year for us and winning the last game was a good feeling.”

— Kwame Evans Jr. (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Oregon (12-19, 5-15 Big Ten) will now turn its attention to the Big Ten Tournament, where they will face Maryland on Tuesday in Chicago. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on Peacock.

The takeaway

This game showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, with Oregon nearly squandering a significant lead before Kwame Evans Jr.'s clutch performance sealed the victory. The win was especially meaningful for Oregon's seniors, who were honored before the game for their contributions to the program.