Sunday, January 22
Eugene, OR
1:00 PM
University of Oregon
14-6, 4-4P12
84
vs
66
Utah
13-6, 2-6P12
1
2
3
4
F
Utah
16
6
19
25
66
Oregon
20
16
18
30
84
Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Freshmen Pace Ducks Past Utes
01/22/17 | Women's Basketball
Sabrina Ionescu had a triple-double and Ruthy Hebard added a double-double as the UO women beat Utah on Sunday.
EUGENE, Ore. — In its most complete performance so far in conference play, the Oregon women's basketball team lead nearly wire-to-wire in an 84-66 win over Utah before 2,657 fans in Matthew Knight Arena on Sunday.
How It Happened: The Ducks (14-6, 4-4 Pac-12) led for all but a few brief moments of the opening quarter; took a lead into halftime for the first time this season in a conference game; and led by double digits nearly the entire second half. Sabrina Ionescu tallied her third triple-double, and fellow freshman Ruthy Hebard added her seventh double-double.
After a hot start by the home team, Utah (13-6, 2-6) used a 10-2 run to take what ended up being its only lead of the game, at 10-8. Hebard quickly tied it at the other end, then made a reverse layup plus an and-one free throw for a 13-10 lead. The Ducks never trailed again.
Ionescu put home two second-chance points for a 31-20 lead late in the second quarter, Oregon's first double-digit advantage. Utah scored the first six points of the second half to close within 36-28, but Ionescu made a three to stop the run and put the Ducks back up double digits, which they sustained for the remainder of the game.
Who Stood Out: The Ducks made a clear effort to establish dominance in the paint, scoring 38 points down low. Hebard led all scorers with 25 and added 10 rebounds. She also blocked three shots, as did fellow freshman Mallory McGwire, who finished with eight points and five rebounds. Ionescu overcame an off night shooting to finished with 14 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, grabbing her final rebound with 2:36 to play — to the delight of a home crowd well aware of the possible triple-double.
What It Means: Mired in the Pac-12 basement after three losses to open conference play, the Ducks have fought their way back to .500 and are in the top half of the standings as the halfway point of the schedule approaches.
Quotable:
Kelly Graves, head coach
On Oregon's play overall
"I'm really proud of our team. We came out and I thought really did a great job. Executed at both ends of the floor. Kids just did a great job playing the script. … We're kind of right back in the mix. These were two we really needed. And we played well. It was a nice weekend for us."
On Ionescu's triple-double
"She had a tough night shooting, but she does not let it phase her. She just plays really hard. She plays with great anticipation, and a lot of those boards she just got because she's tough."
Ruthy Hebard, freshman post
On the Ducks' dominance down low
"All the posts were really effective tonight. I think coach Graves did a good job of telling the guards to put it in, and I'm really proud of all the posts for producing tonight."
Notable: Lauren Yearwood joined Mar'Shay Moore on the bench due to illness Sunday. Moore also did not play Friday against Colorado. Graves said he hopes to have both back soon. … The Utes shot .412 as a team, the best highest of any opponent in Oregon's four conference victories. … About 75 young fans participated in the athletic department's "Cheer With The Ducks" event at halftime.
Up Next: The Ducks wrap up a three-game homestand when they host Oregon State on Friday (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
How It Happened: The Ducks (14-6, 4-4 Pac-12) led for all but a few brief moments of the opening quarter; took a lead into halftime for the first time this season in a conference game; and led by double digits nearly the entire second half. Sabrina Ionescu tallied her third triple-double, and fellow freshman Ruthy Hebard added her seventh double-double.
After a hot start by the home team, Utah (13-6, 2-6) used a 10-2 run to take what ended up being its only lead of the game, at 10-8. Hebard quickly tied it at the other end, then made a reverse layup plus an and-one free throw for a 13-10 lead. The Ducks never trailed again.
Ionescu put home two second-chance points for a 31-20 lead late in the second quarter, Oregon's first double-digit advantage. Utah scored the first six points of the second half to close within 36-28, but Ionescu made a three to stop the run and put the Ducks back up double digits, which they sustained for the remainder of the game.
Who Stood Out: The Ducks made a clear effort to establish dominance in the paint, scoring 38 points down low. Hebard led all scorers with 25 and added 10 rebounds. She also blocked three shots, as did fellow freshman Mallory McGwire, who finished with eight points and five rebounds. Ionescu overcame an off night shooting to finished with 14 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, grabbing her final rebound with 2:36 to play — to the delight of a home crowd well aware of the possible triple-double.
What It Means: Mired in the Pac-12 basement after three losses to open conference play, the Ducks have fought their way back to .500 and are in the top half of the standings as the halfway point of the schedule approaches.
Quotable:
Kelly Graves, head coach
On Oregon's play overall
"I'm really proud of our team. We came out and I thought really did a great job. Executed at both ends of the floor. Kids just did a great job playing the script. … We're kind of right back in the mix. These were two we really needed. And we played well. It was a nice weekend for us."
On Ionescu's triple-double
"She had a tough night shooting, but she does not let it phase her. She just plays really hard. She plays with great anticipation, and a lot of those boards she just got because she's tough."
Ruthy Hebard, freshman post
On the Ducks' dominance down low
"All the posts were really effective tonight. I think coach Graves did a good job of telling the guards to put it in, and I'm really proud of all the posts for producing tonight."
Notable: Lauren Yearwood joined Mar'Shay Moore on the bench due to illness Sunday. Moore also did not play Friday against Colorado. Graves said he hopes to have both back soon. … The Utes shot .412 as a team, the best highest of any opponent in Oregon's four conference victories. … About 75 young fans participated in the athletic department's "Cheer With The Ducks" event at halftime.
Up Next: The Ducks wrap up a three-game homestand when they host Oregon State on Friday (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
Team Stats
UTAH
ORE
FG%
.412
.464
3FG%
.313
.438
FT%
.455
.813
RB
33
42
TO
14
12
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballKelly Graves | Selection Sunday
Monday, March 17
Deja Kelly, Peyton Scott & Phillipina Kyei | Selection Sunday
Monday, March 17
Peyton Scott & Ari Long: "A good, competitive basketball game."
Thursday, February 27
Kelly Graves: "We've played really well."
Thursday, February 27
