Pullman, Washington — The Washington State University Cougars took on the University of Oregon Ducks at Field Court in Beasley Coliseum on the WSU Campus. The Ducks were 3-0 in the Pac 12 (14-2 overall) and ranked 15th in the nation. The Cougs came in with a 2-0 Pac 12 record (9-5 overall).
Through the first half and the first portion of the second half the Cougars and Ducks were neck and neck. The Cougs lead by several points throughout much of the period of time. But in the final 10 minutes of the game the Ducks started to build a commanding lead. For a while the Ducks could not do anything wrong and the Cougs struggled making shots, maintaining possession of the ball, and stopping the Ducks from scoring.
In the end the Cougs lost by 19 points in a game that did not appear that lopsided through the first three-quarters of play.
The was my first time shooting a basketball game. I tried to get a seat near the court and one that gave me an angle that didn’t place me directly behind the basket. I ended up getting the front row of Section 8. This game me some elevation over the court and a decent angle. But I was behind the basket enough that some of the shots were obscured by the board.
I was able to use my new Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. I found that fast glass was nice. I still had to bump up the ISO setting in order to get the speed. I played around with different shutter speeds and ISO settings. I finally ended up using 1/1000th of a second at ISO-4000.
It was a pleasure to use my lens. I was able to get some great close ups of the action at both ends of the court. With this being my first time out doing such photos I have a lot to learn and a lot more experimenting with shutter speeds and ISO settings before I find myself at a happy place.
For fun I took some photos with my Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-135mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS STM and Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM. A couple of those are also in this post.
#24 Josh Hawkinson of the Cougs prepares for tip off.
#24 Josh Hawkinson of the Cougs prepares for tip off.
Jsoh Hawkinson #24 denies Payton Pritchard #3 with a basket.
Jsoh Hawkinson #24 denies Payton Pritchard #3 with a basket.
A wide angle shot for Jack Friel Court.
A wide angle shot for Jack Friel Court.
Josh Hawkinson #24, Robert Franks #3, Charles Callison #23, Malachi Flynn #22, and Ike Iroegbu #2 wait near center court for the referees to determine the outcome of a play. A player from the Oregon Ducks was ejected from the game and Hawkinson would be awarded free throws due to the foul.
Josh Hawkinson #24, Robert Franks #3, Charles Callison #23, Malachi Flynn #22, and Ike Iroegbu #2 wait near center court for the referees to determine the outcome of a play. A player from the Oregon Ducks was ejected from the game and Hawkinson would be awarded free throws due to the foul.
Josh Hawkinson #24 sinks this free throw.
Josh Hawkinson #24 sinks this free throw.
Ike Iroegbu #2 and Malachi Flynn #22 on defense against Casey Benson #2 of the Ducks.
Ike Iroegbu #2 and Malachi Flynn #22 on defense against Casey Benson #2 of the Ducks.
Payton Pritchard #3 of the Ducks is being guarded by Jeff Pollard #13.
Payton Pritchard #3 of the Ducks is being guarded by Jeff Pollard #13.
Kavell Bigby-Williams #35 of the Ducks tries to reach over Jeff Pollard #13 for the ball.
Kavell Bigby-Williams #35 of the Ducks tries to reach over Jeff Pollard #13 for the ball.
Malachi Flynn #22 shoots.
Malachi Flynn #22 shoots.
Kavell Bigby-Williams #35 of the Ducks and Ike Iroegbu #2 battle for the rebound.
Kavell Bigby-Williams #35 of the Ducks and Ike Iroegbu #2 battle for the rebound.
Malachi Flynn #22 is driving the ball up-court.
Malachi Flynn #22 is driving the ball up-court.
Jeff Pollard #13 shoots a layup in the midst of Tyler Dorsey #5 (behind Pollard), Chris Boucher #25, and Jordan Bell #1 of the Ducks.
Jeff Pollard #13 shoots a layup in the midst of Tyler Dorsey #5 (behind Pollard), Chris Boucher #25, and Jordan Bell #1 of the Ducks.
Dean Hare -- a real professional photographer!
Dean Hare -- a real professional photographer!
Malachi Flynn #22 drives up-court with Casey Benson #2 following and Roman Sorkin #41 preparing to engage.
Malachi Flynn #22 drives up-court with Casey Benson #2 following and Roman Sorkin #41 preparing to engage.
Casey Benson #2 and Dylan Ennis #31 of the Ducks playing defense against the Cougs. Malachi Flynn #22 stands at the top of the key watching to his left.
Casey Benson #2 and Dylan Ennis #31 of the Ducks playing defense against the Cougs. Malachi Flynn #22 stands at the top of the key watching to his left.
Jordan Bell #1 dunks the ball for the Ducks.
Jordan Bell #1 dunks the ball for the Ducks.
Charles Callison #23 drives through the key with Payton Pritchard #3 playing defense.
Charles Callison #23 drives through the key with Payton Pritchard #3 playing defense.
KJ Langston #10 dribbles the ball down-court. I like this shot because the ball looks flat.
KJ Langston #10 dribbles the ball down-court. I like this shot because the ball looks flat.
KJ Langston #10 in full stride with three Ducks running after him.
KJ Langston #10 in full stride with three Ducks running after him.
Steven Shipreyregin #12 shoots over Charlie Noebel #10 of the Ducks.
Steven Shipreyregin #12 shoots over Charlie Noebel #10 of the Ducks.
The final score was 66 - 85. The Ducks pulled away in the last quarter of the game. Up until then it was very evenly matched.
The final score was 66 - 85. The Ducks pulled away in the last quarter of the game. Up until then it was very evenly matched.
