University of Oregon
USC
Ducks Drill USC, 81-59
01/29/05 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. ? The Ducks double-doubled their pleasure Saturday as seniors Andrea Bills and Cathrine Kraayeveld each scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds to lead the Oregon women's basketball team to an 81-59 win before 4,096 fans at McArthur Court.
Oregon, which never trailed in the game, improved to 14-6 and 7-4 in the Pac-10, claiming sole possession of fourth place. USC fell to 14-6 and 8-3.
“These were two big wins (over UCLA and USC),” said Bills, who tied her career-high for points on 9-of-14 shooting. “This gives us a boost a standard for how to play in the second half of the season."
Kraayeveld also set a milestone by scoring her 1,000th career point ? the 18th Duck to do so ? on a point-blank lay-up from a Corrie Mizusawa (nine assists) bullet pass with 4:26 left in the first half as Oregon took a 37-19 lead. The Ducks had a 45-29 halftime advantage, scoring their most points in the opening half this season.
"We took advantage of being at home,” said Oregon coach Bev Smith, whose team is 9-1 at McArthur Court. “We are a great team, and we are starting to realize that. We weathered the tough spots and didn't let them take control."
The tough spot occurred midway through the second half as Oregon's 26-point lead was chiseled to 58-44 at the 8:59 mark as the Ducks committed 11 turnovers on 13 possessions in that stretch. Oregon then called a timeout, regrouped as USC never got closer.
“(Smith) told us to be composed and be aggressive,” said Kraayeveld, who made all four of her 3-point attempts and 9-of-11 field goals overall. “Especially in the press, we have to attack and get some layups."
“We got tired,” said Bills, who blocked three USC shots. “We weren't pushing as hard. But we had to be
aggressive and go to the offensive boards."
It was Kraayeveld's seventh double-double this season and 26th of her career. For Bills, it marked her second this year and 10th in her four years at Oregon, where she has played in all 112 games.
And for the second straight game, Oregon dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Women of Troy 44-28. USC's starting front court had eight rebounds combined compared to Oregon's 23.
Brandi Davis again provided a lift off the bench for Oregon scoring 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point range.
“(Brandi) has done a good job,” Smith said. “She understands her role, and she's an offensive spark. She takes advantage of her time on the floor."
Eshaya Murphy led USC with 12 points and eight rebounds in a reserve role while Brynn Cameron added 11 points.
Oregon next plays host to Oregon State in the Civil War, Presented by Your Northwest Dodge Dealers, on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be televised live on the Oregon Sports Network.
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