University of Oregon
North Carolina State
No. 24 Ducks Win 83-78 over N.C. State
11/29/03 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) ? The last scoring run of Saturday's game between No. 24 Oregon and North Carolina State belonged to the Ducks, and with it came a victory.
Cathrine Kraayeveld scored 18 points and Andrea Bills 17 as No. 24 Oregon beat North Carolina State 83-78 in the Oregon Classic at McArthur Court.
Kedzie Gunderson and Kayla Steen both scored 11 for the Ducks (5-0), who are off to their best start since going 6-0 in the 1999-2000 season. Kraayeveld also had eight rebounds and Corrie Mizusawa added 10 assists, her third game this season with 10 or more.
The game, nip-and-tuck in first half, turned into a potential blowout in the second as the Ducks built a 17-point lead only to have the Wolfpack storm back to tie the contest with just over 4:23 to play. But a 13-4 run in the final minutes secured the win for Oregon.
"They were a great team," Kraayeveld said. "We had to stay with them the whole game."One night after making only 16 baskets and shooting 30 percent form the field in a 54-51 win against Kansas, the Ducks made 29 of their 51 (57 percent)shots against the Wolfpack.
"We got back to playing team ball tonight," Oregon coach Bev Smith said. "I really appreciated our ... poise this evening."
Kaayla Chones scored 25 for the Wolfpack (2-2) before fouling out with 1:27 left in the game. Keisha Brown added 15.
The score was tied 69-69 with 4:23 to play, but a 3-pointer by Gunderson gave the Ducks the lead back, and Brandi Davis followed with a 3-pointer and two free throws to put the game away.
"We learned (Friday) night that we really have to come ready to play every night," Gunderson said. "I think everyone stayed calm and we felt confidence from that."
It was a tightly played first half as the game was tied 34-34 at the break. Both teams shot 48 percent from that field in the first half, though the Wolfpack held a 17-11 on the boards. They finished outrebounding the Ducks 39-25.
Chones scored 10 of her points before halftime, but also picked up three fouls. She was called for her fourth barely 2:49 into the second half and was forced to sit for more than six minutes.
During Chone's time on the bench, the Wolfpack unraveled, as Oregon, up 40-39, went on a 20-8 run to take a 60-47 lead before Chones reentered with 10:57 on the clock.
Kraayeveld scored six points during Oregon's run, while Mizusawa and Steen hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions.
Back-to-back baskets by Bills built the Ducks lead to 64-47 before N.C. State started to chip away, finally tying the game on a rebound basket by Keisha Brown to cap a 22-5 run by the Wolfpack. Chones scored 12 of those points.
All-Classic Team
Cathrine Kraayeveld, Oregon (MVP)
Andrea Bills, Oregon
Kaayla Chones, N.C. State
Tamara Ransburg, Kansas
Crystal Kemp, Kansas
Sarah Craig, Sacramento State
