University of Oregon
Arizona State
Gutsy Ducks Defeat Arizona State 66-59
02/17/05 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. -- The Oregon women's basketball team gave a gutsy effort in a 66-59 win Thursday over Arizona State. It was senior Andrea Bills who led the brigade with 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Ducks improved to 17-7 and 10-5 in the Pac-10 ? tied with Arizona and USC for second place.
Arizona State, which had won seven of the last eight and were tied with Oregon in the conference standings entering the game, fell to 17-8 and 9-6.
"This was a huge win to keep momentum up and get back to playing Oregon basketball," Oregon coach Bev Smith said. "We did a really good job refocusing and getting past the loss in Washington. We worked hard this week in practice and I think it showed tonight."
Oregon, which clawed its way to a 27-22 halftime lead, never trailed in the second half. It was the Ducks' defense, too, that ignited the team. The Sun Devils trailed just 39-38 after a Kylan Loney jump shot with 11:30 left, but Oregon went on a 12-2 run to take its largest lead of the game, 51-40 with 5:43 remaining. Arizona State got to as close as four down, but the Ducks made 9-of-14 free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
"Our post players did a great job of controlling their post players, especially Emily Westerberg, and also getting defensive rebounds," said Bills, who had eight points and seven rebounds alone in the second half en route to her third double-double this year. "We're just trying to keep in the top part of the Pac-10 and increase our RPI for the NCAA Tournament selection."
Guard Brandi Davis provided the offense for Oregon in the first half, scoring 12 of her team-high 16 points. It's the third time in the last six games she has led the team in scoring. Cathrine Kraayeveld added 11 points, six rebounds and three steals.
Westerberg, who lit up Oregon for 26 points last month in Tempe, was Arizona State's only starter in double-figure scoring with 12. Amy Denson came off the bench to lead the Sun Devils with 16 points and 10 boards.
"I was pleased with our aggressiveness throughout the game, especially inside," Smith said.
"That allowed us to get to the free throw line. Games are going to be like this down the stretch and we're going to have to get used to it."
Oregon hit 18-of-28 from the foul line while Arizona State attempted only nine, making five.
It was the 14th time this year Oregon's defense allowed fewer than 60 points.
"Our defense drives our offense," Kraayeveld said. "We'll play well when we're playing well on defense and we take pride in that."
The Ducks play host Saturday to Arizona (18-8, 10-5) at 2 p.m. in a crucial matchup on Senior Day ? likely the last time to catch seniors Bills, Kraayeveld and Corrie Mizusawa at McArthur Court.
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