14-32 (7/17-3pt) shooting from the floor pushed Oregon to a 38-28 halftime lead and Malik Hairston's trey to open the second gave the Duck's a momentary look of a romp about to happen. Instead, it was the Bulldogs who scorched to a 48 point closing half, ending Oregon's season by a score of 76-69. Oregon didn't hit another three until there were only fourteen seconds remaining in Oregon's season - and in the careers of those heralded five seniors.

Hairston paced the Ducks in scoring with 22 points, Porter added 18 and Maarty Leunen 13. MSU's Charles Rhodes finished with 34 - a career high - to lead all scorers.

Following a pattern they had demonstrated in earlier losses, Oregon was stone cold after recess, shooting 25% on 8/32 overall and a disappointing 2/21 from behind the stripe. By contrast, the Bulldogs scored 32 points in the paint as the Ducks had no answer inside for Rhodes.

Foul trouble in the second half forced Maarty Leunen and Joevan Catron to the bench making it difficult for the Ducks to break Mississippi State's momentum as they tore off an 8-0 run to get back within five points of the Ducks, then sprinted to the finish with a 33-18 run. Both players, along with Malik Hairston fouled out of the game as the Bulldogs scored 24 points from the line on 36 attempts. Oregon was 16-19.

The season ends for Oregon with a record of 18-14 and following last year's run to the Elite Eight, a frustrating mark. Point guard was a position of strength last season and it was an open question from the first game to the last for this year's team. Lacking a consistent dribble-drive-shoot option, teams packed the paint and defended the dish when the ball was brought into the paint, making it difficult for the Ducks to attack the interior of the defense. They were forced to play the game from the outside in and now they are outside looking in.

A much more wide open conference will await next year's Ducks as several of the league's dominant players are expected to bolt for the NBA. A highly regarded incoming group of players is reason enough to look to next year, but between then and now the Ducks must find a floor general to direct that talent. Porter made strides but still the position is a departure from his shooting guard DNA, Ben Voogd will be given every opportunity to fill the role as will Kamyron Brown. If there isn't an answer there, it is hard to imagine the trend of half-time leads evaporating seen through most of the 2007-08 season can be broken.