SPOKANE, Wash., March 18 (UPI) -- Aaron Brooks scored 22 points Sunday in carrying Oregon to a 75-61 decision over Winthrop in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament.
After shocking Notre Dame in the first round, Winthrop gave Oregon a battle during the early portion of Sunday's contest, but the second-seeded Ducks pulled away with Tajuan Porter adding 14 points and Malik Hairston delivering 13.
Oregon (28-7) will play in the regional semifinals Friday night in St. Louis against UNLV. The Ducks won their eighth straight game -- a stretch that included the Pac-10 Conference Tournament title -- while Winthrop had a 19-game winning streak halted.
Winthrop (29-5) was led by Torrell Martin with 15 points.
Oregon owned a four-point halftime lead and then went on an 8-2 run to start the second period.
