Shelstad Leads Oregon To Victory Over South Dakota State

Oregon continued its strong start to the basketball season with a convincing 83-69 win over South Dakota State on Wednesday night in Eugene, Oregon. Jackson Shelstad scored 22 points, while Takai Simpkins added 20 to help the Ducks secure their third straight victory of the season.

The two players combined for nine of Oregon’s 15 three-pointers, giving the team a big edge from long range. Shelstad also contributed eight assists, showing his ability to both score and create opportunities for his teammates. Nate Bittle played a big role as well, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds to record his second double-double in three games.

South Dakota State, which entered the game with two wins and one loss, put up a strong fight but could not keep up with Oregon’s balanced offense. Joe Sayler and Luke Haertle each scored 14 points for the Jackrabbits, who briefly made the game close in the second half before the Ducks pulled away again.

The Jackrabbits managed to cut a double-digit deficit down to just one point midway through the second half, but Oregon responded quickly with back-to-back three-pointers from Shelstad and Simpkins. Those shots helped the Ducks regain control and finish the game strongly.

Shelstad’s performance was especially impressive because it came just days after he struggled in Oregon’s previous match — a narrow win over Rice on November 7. In that game, Shelstad had trouble finding his rhythm after returning from a hand injury that had kept him out of practice for over a month. On Wednesday, however, he looked confident and comfortable, playing like the experienced point guard who has been key to Oregon’s success in recent years.

The first half started evenly, with both teams exchanging baskets in the opening minutes. Oregon began to take control when Shelstad hit a three-pointer to give the Ducks a 31-22 lead with just over six minutes left in the first half. That nine-point advantage was the largest lead for Oregon in the opening period, and they carried a 40-34 lead into halftime.

Simpkins led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, while Bittle added 11 along with six rebounds, setting the tone for his strong all-around game. South Dakota State stayed close with solid shooting from Haertle and Sayler, but Oregon’s perimeter accuracy gave them the edge going into the break.

In the second half, Oregon extended their lead to 56-45 after a three-pointer by Drew Carter at the 12:23 mark. However, South Dakota State refused to back down. They went on a 13-3 scoring run, sparked by three-pointers from Jaden Jackson, Caleb Delzell, and Haertle. When Alec Squires stole the ball and assisted Haertle for a layup, the Jackrabbits closed the gap to just 59-58 with about nine and a half minutes left in the game.

The Jackrabbits even made it 64-62 with six minutes remaining, giving them a real chance to take the lead. But Oregon’s key players responded once again. Shelstad and Simpkins each drained a three-pointer, giving the Ducks a 70-63 lead. That momentum carried them to the finish line, as South Dakota State could not recover.

Simpkins and Shelstad sealed the victory with back-to-back jumpers late in the game, pushing the score to 75-64 with less than two minutes left. The Ducks then held firm defensively to secure the win.

This game showed how dangerous Oregon can be when their main players perform well together. Shelstad’s leadership at point guard, Simpkins’ shooting ability, and Bittle’s rebounding made the difference. The team’s confidence and teamwork helped them stay calm even when South Dakota State made their comeback attempt.

With this win, Oregon improved to 3-0 for the season and continued to build momentum. They will look to extend their unbeaten run when they face tougher competition in the coming weeks. South Dakota State, meanwhile, dropped to 2-2 and will aim to bounce back in their next outing.

The Ducks’ ability to hit long-range shots, combined with their defensive pressure, proved to be too much for the Jackrabbits. As the season continues, Oregon looks ready to make a strong push toward national recognition once again.