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Teary-eyed Bell takes blame for loss: 'If I would've just boxed out'

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Bell blamed himself for Oregon's Final Four loss Saturday, after he failed to come up with a rebound on either of North Carolina's missed free throws at the end of the 77-76 decision.

"If I would've just boxed out," the junior told reporters with tears running down his face. "I had two opportunities to do it, I missed both of them. We lost the game because of it."

Bell pulled down 16 boards on the night, but wasn't able to secure either of the two loose balls up for grabs in the final six seconds with the Ducks trailing by a point.

He got beat by Theo Pinson on the first rebound and Kennedy Meeks on the second.

"There was a scrum there and we didn't come up with either one," head coach Dana Altman said. "Jordan felt terrible."

Bell was one of the last players to leave the court once the game ended.

"This is going to hurt forever," he said emotionally.

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