University of Oregon
UCLA
No. 22 UCLA Too Much for Ducks, Win 70-54
01/04/05 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES ? Nikki Blue's 16 points led four UCLA players in double-figures Tuesday as the No. 22-ranked Bruins remained perfect in the Pac-10 through three games after a 70-54 win over Oregon at Pauley Pavilion.
Oregon (9-4, 2-2) was swept on the road by USC and UCLA after 11 straight splits. UCLA (9-3, 3-0) won its 10th in a row at home, with its previous loss coming last season to Oregon.
The Ducks, fueled by making 6-of-12 from 3-point range in the first half, took a 28-26 lead into the locker room. But the lead was short-lived as UCLA went on a 14-3 run to pull ahead 40-31 with 15:27 left. Oregon cooled from long distance in the second half, making only 1-of-13.
"Even in their packed zone, we could've done a better job at getting the ball inside," Oregon coach Bev Smith said. "We took too many threes in the second half."
Brandi Davis kept Oregon in the game early as she scored all 13 of her points in about a six-minute stretch late in the second half, hitting 3-of-4 from 3-point territory.
"Brandi did a good job of keeping their defense honest in the first half," said Smith of Davis, who moved into fourth place all-time at Oregon with 110 3-pointers, passing Jessica Schutt.
But Blue, who also had nine rebounds, five assists and four steals, as well as Noelle Quinn (15 points), Lindsey Pluimer (13 points) and Lisa Willis (11 points) were too much for Oregon.
Cathrine Kraayeveld led the Ducks with 16 points and a team-high nine rebounds to go with four blocked shots. It was her eighth consecutive double-figure scoring game and 12th of the season.
UCLA's pressure defense forced Oregon into 20 turnovers for the second straight game. The Ducks also struggled offensively with their lowest scoring output this year and managed just 33 percent shooting from the floor. UCLA wasn't much better at 39 percent shooting, but made 55 percent in the second half.
The Ducks next take on Oregon State (4-9, 0-4) in the Civil War on Saturday at Gill Coliseum. Tipoff is at 2 p.m.
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