EUGENE, Ore. – Coppin State's men's basketball team outscored the University of Oregon by 12 points in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome a 29 point deficit as the Eagles dropped their season opener, 70-54 on Friday night in front of 7,232 fans at Matthew Knight Arena. 

Falling behind, 42-14 after the first 20 minutes of action, Coppin shot the ball much better in the second half, making 41.4% of its shots compared to just 14.3% in the first. Unfortunately, Oregon made 44% its shots for the game and 50% in the first half to give the Ducks an insurmountable lead. 

Dejuan Clayton scored the game's first points after recording a steal and getting fouled on a breakaway layup attempt. Clayton made both of his free throws to give Coppin its only lead of the game.  Following Clayton's shots from the stripe, Oregon scored 14 straight points and never looked back as the Eagles were held without a field goal for the first 7:18 when Tre' Thomas scored on a jumper.

The Eagles looked much more relaxed in the second half of first-year head coach Juan Dixon's debut as they played even with the Ducks to start the period.  About seven minutes in, Coppin started to mount a comeback, first going on an 8-0 run anchored by a three-point play by Cedric Council.

Following a three by Oregon to make the score, 58-36 with 10:45 remaining, the Eagles went on an 18-6 run over the next eight minutes to get as close as ten points with 2:53 left in regulation.  Lamar Morgan made a pair of threes and Council also stepped back for a trifecta during the rally.

Clayton and Thomas led Coppin with 13 points while Thomas sank three shots from downtown.  Adam Traore and Council chipped in with nine and eight points respectively in their debuts.  Traore also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and made all five of his free throws.

Also playing in their first collegiate games, Morgan made a pair of threes for six points while Joel Boyce added five.

Roman Sorkin led the Ducks with a career-high 23 points with 18 coming in the first half.

Coppin will not get much rest as they will travel back across the country to take on East Carolina on Sunday, November 12 in a 5 pm tip.  The matchup with the Pirates is part of the Showcase on the Banks Tournament.