University of Oregon
7-0
Utah Valley
6-4
Alleyne Powers Ducks to Win over Utah Valley
12/05/15 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. -- Jillian Alleyne scored 16 of her 22 total points in the second half and the Oregon women's basketball pulled away from Utah Valley to win, 79-68, Saturday afternoon at Matthew Knight Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Wolverines (6-4) jumped out in the opening quarter and put the Ducks (7-0) on their heels early, holding a five-point lead for the majority of the first quarter. However, a lay-up by Liz Brenner and a Maite Cazorla three-pointer at the buzzer tied the game up at 22-all after one.
The second quarter featured back-and-forth play for much of the early part. Then at the 3:17 mark, Alleyne tipped in her own missed lay-up, sparking an 11-3 run by the Ducks to end the half leading 42-37.
The third quarter was where Oregon asserted its dominance inside. Alleyne scored the first six UO points to collect her 23rd-straight double-double and No. 76 in her career. Brenner also provided inside baskets as she had two lay-ups, one of which she was fouled on and then converted the free-throw for the three-point play.
“Liz had been one of our most consistent players all year,” head coach Kelly Graves said. “She gives us great effort and solid offensive skills.”
Together, Alleyne and Brenner had all 15 of Oregon's third quarter points and the Ducks were able to hold on to an eight-point advantage going into the final quarter.
UO continued to work the ball inside in the fourth quarter as its first 12 points came on lay-ups. Jordan Loera then sank a three at the 5:18 mark for the first Oregon outside shot of the half. That basket gave the Ducks' their largest lead of the day at 19 points.
“We're going to need Jordan in the long run,” Graves said. “She is going to be a viable option for us so it was great for us to see her have a tremendous game. She earned that and shot the ball well.”
While it seemed like the Ducks were on the verge of putting the game away, Utah Valley refused to go away quietly. Rhaiah Spooner-Knight scored 10 of her team-high 23 points down the stretch, bringing the game back into single-digits, but with 23 seconds left, Carzorla got a steal and knocked down a fast-break jumper, putting the lead back at 11 and out of reach for the Wolverines.
DOMINANCE IN THE PAINT: The Ducks outscored Utah Valley 46-38 in the paint. After scoring 18 points in the paint in the first half, UO had 28 of its 37 second-half points come on lay-ups. All 11 of Alleyne's made field goals were lay-ups and the senior was a force on the boards once again, corralling 19 total rebounds, eight of which were on the offensive end, to lead the Ducks in both categories.
“Coach Kelly was getting on us about effort and they were definitely out-rebounding us, which is a credit to them,” Alleyne said. “I feel like ever since the last game the switch has turned on for me. I just know who I need to be for my teammates so I'm trying to bring that to every game and be consistent.”
CAZORLA'S CAREER DAY: Cazorla set a new career-high in scoring as the freshman had 16 points to go along with her eight assists. Her previous career-high was 10, which she had against Hampton on Nov. 19. She also only had two turnovers in today's contest, good for a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
BALANCED ATTACK: Once again, the Ducks showed that their offense can come from a multitude of players. While Alleyne led all scorers with 22 points, Lexi Petersen, Cazorla and Brenner all had double-figures as well. Petersen had nine points in the first-quarter alone as she finished with 13. Cazorla had 16 and Brenner contributed 11. Loera's nine points, all of which came from beyond the arc, were a new season-high for the senior.
UP NEXT: The Ducks continue their homestand when they host Portland at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at Matthew Knight Arena. The game will recognizing the Oregon Women in Flight Program.
