By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS — Barely a minute into Friday night’s Pac-12 Tournament semifinal, Oregon watched its two-time all-conference center hit the floor hard and leave the game.
The Ducks then trailed by 14 points as top-seeded Arizona appeared well on its way to another conference title game.
But N’Faly Dante returned to the game and fourth-seeded Oregon shut down Arizona for a 67-59 victory.
Jackson Shelstad scored 21 points for the Ducks, and Jermaine Couisnard had 20.
“We had to keep believing,” Couisnard said. “We know it’s going to come down to a close game.”
Dante added 14 points and 10 rebounds, overcoming that tough early fall. He also blocked four shots.
Ducks coach Dana Altman said Dante had a bruised tailbone.
“Jermaine and Dante are our leaders and it resonates through the team because of them,” Altman said. “You always take on the personality … of your best players.”
The Ducks (22-11) will play Colorado in Saturday’s championship game. The third-seeded Buffaloes advanced with a 58-52 victory over No. 22 Washington State.
Arizona (25-8) will learn its seed and destination for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The Wildcats, who were 11½-point favorites according to FanDuel Sportsbook, were attempting to become the first team to three-peat as Pac-12 champions since they won four straight in 1988-90 and 2002. There were no conference tournaments between 1991-2001.
Oumar Ballo had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Arizona in his 18th double-double this season. Pelle Larsson added 11 points, but Pac-12 Player of the Year Caleb Love was held to six points on 2-of-11 shooting.
T-Mobile Arena has been dubbed McKale North for Arizona fans, but the Wildcats suffered their first tournament loss in three seasons under Coach Tommy Lloyd. They are 7-1 in the conference tournament and 10-2 under Lloyd in Las Vegas. The other Vegas loss also occurred this season, a 96-95 double-overtime setback against then-No. 14…
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