Jordan Bell Says He Lost Game for Oregon vs. UNC by Allowing 2 Late Rebounds

After Oregon allowed two North Carolina offensive rebounds in the waning seconds of a 77-76 loss in Saturday's national semifinal, Ducks forward Jordan Bell publicly took the blame.

"If I had just boxed out ... I had two opportunities," Bell told reporters. "People can tell me whatever they want, but I lost the game for us."

The Tar Heels blew two consecutive chances to pull ahead by three from the free-throw line down the stretch. Kennedy Meeks missed a pair of attempts with 5.8 seconds remaining, the second of which went off Bell's hand before North Carolina forward Theo Pinson tipped the ball to Joel Berry II at the top of the key. Meeks wrestled a second offensive rebound away from Bell after Berry missed another pair of free throws.

"He just took it from me," Bell said of the second board. "I hit him and went for him instead of holding on to the ball. We talk about it all the time because it happens all the time."

Bell, the hero of Oregon's regional final win over Kansas, finished with 13 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. He was the Ducks' defensive anchor in their first Final Four run since they won the national championship in 1939.

"Right now he's gonna feel that way, like he cost us, but over time, that will heal," Oregon guard Tyler Dorsey said. "He didn't lose the game for us. Everyone could have done more."

Bell was the only Ducks starter to make half his shots, as they shot 37.9 percent from the field. They were just 7-of-26 from beyond the arc, but Dorsey did make a three with under a minute left to get Oregon back within three points.

North Carolina will play Gonzaga on Monday night with the chance to win its sixth national championship in program history.