Breakthrough vs. Beavers Remains Elusive For Ducks

by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Photo: Eric Evans

CORVALLIS — Oregon State's win streak in the rivalry stretched to 10 with a 60-33 victory over the UO women's basketball team Friday in Gill Coliseum, a game that saw Oregon senior Jillian Alleyne's Pac-12 record streak of 29 straight double-doubles come to an end.

How It Happened: The Ducks (11-3, 0-3 Pac-12) had a flicker of hope, taking a 5-3 lead on a midrange jumper by Jacinta Vandenberg. But after another Vandenberg jumper got Oregon back within 9-7, Oregon State put together a 17-2 run that effectively put the game away.

Vandenberg's early jumpers helped neutralize OSU post Ruth Hamblin on those possessions. The Ducks were hesitant to attack the rim against the 6-foot-6 senior, and they also shot just 1-of-12 from three-point range in the first half to trail 32-18 at halftime.

Oregon got a few stops early in the second half, and with 7:17 left in the third quarter Liz Brenner stepped to the free-throw line looking to complete a three-point play. The Ducks trailed 34-22 and were threatening to close within single digits, but Brenner missed the free throw and the No. 11 Beavers (11-3, 2-1) finished the quarter on a 12-2 run.

Oregon ended up hitting one jump shot the rest of the game after making three by the time it was 9-7 in the first quarter. The Ducks finished 1-of-18 from three-point range, making their second of the night and then missing 16 in a row.

Who Stood Out: Alleyne failed to record a double-double for the first time since Oregon played in Corvallis last season, finishing Friday with 10 points and six rebounds. Vandenberg was effective when available but was hampered by foul trouble and played just 11 minutes in the first half, 24 overall. One bright spot was Mar'Shay Moore, who brought some energy off the bench and finished with two rebounds and a steal.

What It Means: The Ducks dropped their third straight since sweeping nonconference play, and need to find some traction as they enter the second half of a grueling six-game stretch to open Pac-12 play.

Quotable:
Kelly Graves, UO coach
On Oregon's 21.5 percent shooting night
“Give a lot of credit to Oregon State. They're a good basketball team, no doubt about it. … You're not going to beat anybody shooting like that, let alone one of the best teams in the country.”

On the root of the Ducks' offensive struggles
“We've got to do a little bit more rescreening, and our posts just gotta spring into those ball screens a little better. We were just so slow most of the night. We had some heads hanging, and I didn't coach a very good game. .. We've got to figure it out tomorrow between film and practice, and come up with a better plan.”

Notable: The Ducks came in averaging 84.7 points per game, sixth in the NCAA. Their lowest scoring output of the season had been 69 points in a win over Clemson. … Oregon retains a 59-36 edge in the series history with OSU, including 24-22 in Corvallis. … OSU's win streak of 10 is one shy of Oregon's series-record 11, set in 1986-1990 and tied in 1996-2001.

Up Next: The Ducks and Beavers wrap up their season series in Matthew Knight Arena on Sunday (noon, Pac-12 Networks).