University of Oregon
1-0
Utah State
0-1
Early Barrage Helps Oregon Women To Season-Opening Win
11/14/14 | Women's Basketball
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon women's basketball team came out hot and weathered a couple of midgame dry spells to vanquish Utah State, 100-77, on Friday afternoon in the Ducks' 2014-15 opener, the first regular-season game under first-year coach Kelly Graves.
How It Happened: Lexi Bando, a freshman from Eugene, opened the season with a three-pointer, and the Ducks went on to make their first 11 shots in building a 28-8 lead. Katelyn Loper went 5-of-5 from three-point range in the first half, leading a collective 13-of-20 effort by the Ducks from outside. Loper scored 22 points in the half, and Oregon led 59-41 at the break. All that offense provided a comfortable lead despite the fact Oregon allowed the Aggies to shoot 50 percent from the field.
In Graves' debut, the Ducks showed they can still score despite moving away from their previous fastbreak system. Lexi Petersen sliced a pass through Utah State's aggressive halfcourt trap for an open Loper layin that put Oregon up 15-4, and on the next possession the Ducks used three passes to set up Amanda Delgado for an open three-pointer on the wing. The final basket of Oregon's 11 straight to open the game came late in the shot clock, when Loper drove the lane but, rather than forcing up an awkward shot, dished to Jillian Alleyne for a layin. Overall the Ducks had 25 assists on their 34 field goals.
Oregon came out cold to open the second half, and Utah State used a 9-0 run to get within 61-50. But Petersen ended that rally with a three-pointer, and Alleyne got momentum back rolling in the Ducks' direction with a putback. Another three-pointer by Loper got the Ducks back up by 20, at 75-55, for the first time since midway through the first half. Oregon led comfortably from there, and was able to get the full roster of available players into the game. The Ducks held Utah State to 36.4 percent shooting after halftime, and 43.7 overall.
Who Stood Out: Alleyne posted the 42nd double-double of her career, finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Her fifth rebound of the game was No. 894 of the junior's career, moving her past Amanda Johnson (2009-12) into fourth all-time for the Ducks. Loper ended up 8-of-12 from three-point range for a team high 33 points, and Bando added 13. Petersen, running the point, led the offense with six assists and also scored 13.
Quotable: "When you jump on a team early like we did with that three-point barrage, good things are going to happen. The way we play offense, and the shooters we have along with Jill, that trapping defense wasn't a good match for them." — Graves
"We have things to work on, but I think it was there. It wasn't a lack of anything. I think we can do a better job of communicating, where to be the next pass. The effort was there, we just have to get where we need to be a second earlier." — Alleyne on Oregon's defense
"I was really pleased with our performance tonight in some respects. It certainly felt good to be out there as the coach for the first time, and one of what I hope will be many victories on this court." — Graves
Odds and Ends: Loper's eight three-pointers were one shy of the UO single-game record she shares with Taylor Lilley. Loper tied Lilley's record on Nov. 9, 2013, against Cal State Bakersfield. ... Despite an odd noon start time, 1,569 fans were in attendance at Matthew Knight Arena. ... Walk-on point guard Marie Berthuel knocked down her first career collegiate shot, a three-pointer from the corner in the second half ... Utah State senior point guard Elise Nelson played at nearby Thurston High in Springfield.
Up Next: The Ducks host preseason No. 13 North Carolina in Matthew Knight Arena on Nov. 23 (3 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Networks).
Play of the Day: Sophomore Drea Toler finishes the nifty layup in the second half.
