University of Oregon
18-10,8-8Pac-12
Colorado
15-12,5-11 P-12
Ducks Stumble in Boulder
02/19/17 | Women's Basketball
RUTHY HEBARD'S 24 POINTS NOT ENOUGH AS OREGON FALLS TO COLORADO, 76-66
BOULDER, Colo. - The Oregon women's basketball team fell into an early hole and was unable to fight all the way back as the Ducks lost to Colorado, 76-66, on Sunday afternoon at Coors Event Center.
How it Happened: It was all Colorado from the start of the game, as the Buffaloes (15-12, 5-11 Pac-12) opened up a 25-8 lead after the first quarter. The Ducks (18-10, 8-8 Pac-12) struggled to take care of the ball in the opening period, committing six turnovers that translated into nine Colorado points. Oregon shot just 25 percent from the floor in the first quarter.
The Ducks' struggles continued into the second quarter, as five more turnovers helped the Buffaloes take a 42-25 lead into halftime. Oregon was able to find a little more success on the offensive end as the Ducks shot 52.5 percent from the floor, a dramatic improvement from the first quarter, but Colorado continued to capitalize on the Ducks' mistakes to take a comfortable lead into the locker room.
Ruthy Hebard began to take over in the third quarter in an attempt to get the Ducks back into the game, as the freshman erupted for 16 points in the quarter to pull the Ducks within 12, 60-48, going into the final period. Hebard was a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor in the frame while scoring all but two of the Ducks' points.
With the Ducks within striking distance to start the final quarter, Colorado quickly took back the momentum with a 5-0 run to start the fourth, forcing an Oregon timeout. The Buffaloes would push their lead out to as much as 20 in the quarter with a 14-4 run to help seal the win. Oregon finished the game on a 14-2 run, including eight-straight points from Sabrina Ionescu, to get within 10 points, but it was too little, too late as Colorado held on for the victory on its Senior Day.
Who Stood Out: Hebard finished with a game-high 24 points, with 16 of them coming in the third quarter, while adding six rebounds. Ionescu used her hot finish to end the game with 16 points to go with five boards and two assists. Freshman Mallory McGwire added 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Lexi Bando hit a pair of three-pointers to finish with eight points.
What it Means: Entering the game on a three-game winning streak and in fifth place in the Pac-12, the Ducks' 15 turnovers and sluggish first quarter were too much to overcome against the Buffaloes. The Ducks' loss snaps a span of three wins in a row against CU. Oregon now has two home games remaining to try and finish the regular season strong before entering the Pac-12 Tournament.
Notable: The Ducks won the rebounding battle with the Buffaloes, 34-29 … Ten of Ionescu's 16 points came in the second half … Oregon assisted on 10 of its 25 baskets … Colorado's Haley Smith reached 1,000 career points with 23 against the Ducks.
Up Next: Oregon will return home to face California (Friday, 6 p.m.) and Stanford (Sunday, 1 p.m.) at Matthew Knight Arena to finish out the regular season.
