Troubled Arizona loses 98-93 to Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. -- Lorenzo Romar has no idea how long he'll be in charge at Arizona.

The 14th-ranked Wildcats played without embattled coach Sean Miller and lost 98-93 to Oregon in overtime Saturday night, ending a difficult day for the troubled program. Romar, the team's associate head coach, filled in for Miller but wasn't sure what's next.

"We have to wait and see," Romar said. "We dealt with it the way we dealt with it tonight, and tomorrow we'll see what happens."

Miller sat out a day after ESPN, citing anonymous sources, reported he was heard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to current Wildcats freshman Deandre Ayton, who played against Oregon. Arizona also was without guard Allonzo Trier, who tested positive for the same banned substance that cost him 19 games last season.

"I believe it is in the best interest of our team that I not coach the game tonight," Miller said in a statement. "I continue to fully support the university's efforts to fully investigate this matter and am confident that I will be vindicated."

The school did not specify why Miller didn't coach against Oregon or if he will sit out any other games.

Ayton had 28 points and 18 rebounds for Arizona (22-7, 12-4 Pac-12), but went scoreless over the final 11 1/2 minutes. Rawle Alkins added 24 points.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 15 points, and the senior guard thought Ayton handled himself well.

"I think he's handled it like a professional," Jackson-Cartwright said. "I think the last 24 hours has been quite difficult for him, but he's handled it like a professional, and it's really good to see."

Oregon (19-10, 9-7) used a stellar performance at the foul line and a balanced offense to pick up its second straight win. Elijah Brown scored 22 of his season-high 30 points after halftime. MiKyle McIntosh added 20 points, including a key 3-pointer with 1:02 left.

Alkins had a chance to pull Arizona within two in overtime, but his technical foul after a dunk allowed the Ducks to keep a four-point edge before McIntosh connected from long range.

Oregon coach Dana Altman said the Wildcats "came out mad" after they hit eight of their first 10 shots, held the Ducks without a rebound for the first eight minutes and led by 12 twice in the first half. Arizona was up 43-37 at the break.

"We weren't ready for the physicality of the game," said Altman, who declined to comment on Miller, a coach he's known since their days as Missouri Valley Conference foes.

However, on the current state of the game, Altman said: "It is disappointing. It's disappointing to all fans of college basketball."

Brown made 15 of 17 free throws as the Ducks hit 20 of 24 overall. The work at the line helped them overcome a 58.6 shooting percentage and 35-30 rebounding edge for the Wildcats.

Arizona also committed 17 turnovers.

Dylan Smith's 3-pointer for the Wildcats tied it at 83 with 22 seconds left. Oregon's Payton Pritchard missed a driving bank shot with two seconds remaining, sending the game to overtime.

BIG PICTURE

Arizona's immediate future isn't clear beyond its last two games of the regular season at McKale Center. The Wildcats can clinch a share of the Pac-12 title with one more win.

Oregon's push for relevance in the postseason discussion got a boost with the win over the Wildcats, though the Ducks' only route to the NCAA Tournament might rest with winning the conference tournament in Las Vegas next month. Oregon closes on the road against the Washington schools.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Arizona, the only Pac-12 team in the Top 25, will probably see its stock drop not only after the loss but with the fallout from the FBI investigation.

STAT OF THE NIGHT

Brown went from attempting four free throws over his past eight games to shooting 17 against the Wildcats. He is 70 of 75 on the season for 93.3 percent, best in the Pac-12.

HIGHLIGHT REEL

Ayton took breaking Oregon's press into his own hands, driving from half court for his most impressive move of the night, a powerful two-handed jam over Kenny Wooten, the Pac-12's best shot blocker.

HE SAID IT

Romar, new to Miller's staff after 15 years as the head coach at Washington, was impressed by how well Ayton played on the road in front of a sellout crowd of 12,364. "Do you remember when you were 19? It's not easy, man. Again, I thought he did a great job and handled it in a very mature fashion," Romar said. "Deandre has a mother that is a rock. She is a rock. She does a great job of encouraging him, motivating him and keeping him grounded."

UP NEXT

Arizona: Hosts Stanford on Thursday night.

Oregon: Plays at Washington State on Thursday night.