University of Oregon
Portland
Defensive Ducks Control Pilots 63-46 in Opener
11/19/04 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. ? They say defense wins championships, and if Friday's women's basketball game were any indication, the University of Oregon is off to a promising start. Oregon used a big second half to put away Portland 63-46 before 3,035 fans in the season-opener at McArthur Court.
The 46 point total for the Pilots was the fewest points Oregon has held a team since holding California to 43 in February 2002. It also is tied for the third-lowest in any season-opening game ? two of them being in the first two years of Oregon women's basketball (1974-76).
"We challenged shots. We did all that we could to make Portland earn every point," fourth-year Oregon coach Bev Smith said. "This team understands the importance of that."
Senior forward Cathrine Kraayeveld, playing in her first game since Nov. 29, 2003, led the Ducks with 14 points on 4-of-11 shooting to go with four assists and two steals. Senior post player Andrea Bills added 12 on 6-of-8 shooting.
The Ducks showed off their depth by having eight players see significant action. Corrie Mizusawa, who had seven points and a game-high six assists, played a team-high 26 minutes ? far below her 33 minute average last year.
"The important part of the defensive plan is to play hard, aggressively, and to have energy," Smith said. "To do that we need numbers and we have numbers. However, this team has so many good defensive players, we hesitate on offense. We aren't sure when to score."
The Ducks, who never trailed in the game, led just 23-21 with 51 seconds left in the first half, but back-to-back lay-ins by Kraayeveld and freshman Gabrielle Richards saw Oregon take a 27-21 halftime lead. Oregon's offense began clicking in the second half as it hit four 3-pointers in the first six minutes, sparking an 18-4 run as the Ducks led 45-25 and never looked back.
Overall, Oregon converted 8-of-14 from 3-point range, a marked improvement from last Friday's exhibition where it went just 4-of-20.
"Everyone tried to find the best shot for the team," Smith said. "Corrie did well at this. So did (Kraayeveld). Cat is an All-American and she only made six shots tonight. She tried to be a play-maker, not to steal the show. We were very satisfied with the way we played offensively. "
Richards, in her first collegiate game, gave a lift off the bench with a team-best nine rebounds along with eight points and two assists. Oregon's other freshman, forward Kristen Forristall, had four rebounds and two assists in the first half and hit a 3-pointer after the half for her only basket in the game.
"Our new additions have brought strength and giving to team basketball," Smith said of the freshmen. "They made spectacular plays tonight. They've brought depth that we need every minute."
Oregon outrebounded Portland 38-30 and improved to 12-0 at McArthur Court against its regional rivals. The Ducks next play host to Southern (0-1) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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