The Oregon Ducks needed someone to step up in a major way if they wanted their magical postseason run to continue in March, and veteran guard Jermaine Couisnard answered the call.
On Thursday, in Oregon’s 87-73 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Couisnard poured in 40 points, breaking the Oregon program record for most points in an NCAA Tournament game.
The previous record of 33 points was held by Tajaun Porter, set in the 2007 Sweet Sixteen against UNLV.
Couisnard got his 40 points on 14-for-22 shooting, and he added 6 assists and 4 rebounds as well.
The former South Carolina Gamecock was not the only Duck with a massive game, as N’Faly Dante also tacked on 23 points on 7-for-9 shooting with 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.
The Ducks will now face off against the 3-seed Creighton Bluejays on Saturday in the second round of the tournament, leading head coach Dana Altman to meet his former team.
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