University of Oregon
UCLA
Davis? 28 Points Sparks Ducks to 78-71 Win Over UCLA
01/27/05 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. ? The University of Oregon women's basketball team turned to Brandi Davis for an offensive spark Thursday. And it got a bonfire as Davis' career-high 28 points helped the Ducks defeat UCLA 78-71 before a crowd of 3,418 at McArthur Court.
Davis, a senior guard, sank six of her 13 3-point attempts and hit 10-of-19 overall in 27 minutes in a reserve role.
Davis didn't score her first basket until a 15-foot jumper with 3:13 left in the first half and went on to score Oregon's final 11 first-half points as the Ducks led 33-31 at the break.
“I knew that if I kept shooting they were going to fall,” Davis said. “Even though I missed a few shots, my teammates were confident in me and they started falling in.”
With the Ducks up 47-46, Davis also led another charge with two 3-pointers and a steal at half court resulting in a lay-in to give Oregon a 58-48 cushion with 8:14 remaining.
“(Brandi) lit it up,” said Oregon senior Corrie Mizusawa, the team's only other double-digit scorer with 11 to go with a game-high nine assists. “When she's on, she can be one of the best players in the Pac-10. Hopefully, she can be that spark the rest of the season.”
Oregon improved to 13-6 and 6-4 in the Pac-10 while the Bruins dropped to 12-7 and 6-4.
As Oregon struggled to hit its free throws (19-of-32 overall), UCLA clawed back to within four at 70-66 with 2:55 left. But the Ducks' defense held UCLA to just five points the rest of the way.
“It was a matter of wanting to win and getting after the boards,” said Oregon coach Bev Smith, whose team had a season-best rebounding advantage, 50-30. “It was an incredible effort by our players on the boards.”
Cathrine Kraayeveld, who made just 3-of-12 from the field for eight points, led all players with 11 rebounds. She blocked two shots and had two steals as she remains eight shy of scoring 1,000 career points.
Oregon's defense held UCLA to 37 percent shooting, including 34 percent after halftime.
Smith also commended Davis on her defensive play. “Brandi had one of her best defensive games to go with one of her best offensive games.”
Lisa Willis led UCLA with 24 points on 7-of-17 shooting ? four of them 3-pointers shots well beyond the arc. Nikki Blue, who shot 6-of-20 from the floor, and Amanda Livingston each had 15 points for the Bruins.
Andrea Bills and Eleanor Haring each scored nine points for Oregon while Kristen Forristall came off the bench to score eight.
Oregon next plays host to USC (14-5, 8-2) Saturday at 1 p.m.
- www.GoDucks.com -
