The Oregon Ducks showcased immense resilience as they battled through adversity to claim a hard-fought victory against the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals on Friday night. Despite facing numerous challenges, the Ducks displayed determination and teamwork to secure a 67-59 win and advance to the tournament final.

The first half proved to be a strenuous period for Oregon as they lost a key player due to a fall and experienced a dry spell from behind the arc with 12 consecutive missed three-point attempts. Additionally, their comfortable double-digit lead was diminished by a late 9-0 run by the Arizona Wildcats. However, the Ducks refused to be deterred by these setbacks, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to victory.

Oregon's defensive intensity played a pivotal role in their triumph, as they held Arizona without a field goal for a significant portion of the game. Their three-point shooting improved in the second half, with contributions from multiple players, including guard Couisnard and rising star Dante. Couisnard, who finished with 20 points, also played a crucial role in inspiring his teammates during halftime, pushing them to keep believing in themselves.

The return of Dante to the court provided the Ducks with a much-needed boost. Trailing at halftime by a significant margin, Couisnard and Dante led the charge in closing the gap and reclaiming the lead. Shelstad's superb shooting skills emerged in the second half, where he made a series of three-pointers that helped Oregon build a commanding 13-point lead.

Despite a late rally from the Wildcats and a technical foul against the Ducks' bench, Oregon did not waver from their game plan. Dante made key contributions on offense with clutch plays, while the team's stellar defensive efforts ensured that Arizona's scoring opportunities were limited. Ultimately, Oregon secured their victory with crucial free throws from Shelstad and Oquendo.

The Ducks' remarkable display of heart and determination earned praise from their coach, Altman, who commended their effort in holding Arizona to a score under 60. The team's veterans, including guard Barthelemy, echoed the sentiment that their journey was not over yet, inspiring their teammates to keep pushing forward.

The win carried even more significance as former players, including Ridnour, Duarte, Sim, and Jones, showed their support for the team and expressed their pride in their performance. Messages of encouragement, including one from UO legend Dillon Brooks, further fueled the Ducks' determination to bring home the championship.

Oregon now sets its sights on the Pac-12 Tournament final, where they will face a formidable opponent in a game televised by FOX at 6 p.m. The Ducks' resilience, unity, and unwavering belief in themselves have carried them this far, and they aim to continue their impressive run and clinch the tournament title.

As the clock ticks down to tip-off, the Ducks remain focused on the task at hand. Celebrations are momentarily paused, as they know there is still work to be done. With their sights set on victory and messages of support from past players ringing in their ears, Oregon prepares to leave nothing on the table and give it their all in the pursuit of championship glory.