Sunday, February 24
Eugene, OR
11:00 AM
University of Oregon
96
vs
78
USC
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Stars Align On Senior Day
02/24/19 | Women's Basketball
The UO women sent off Oti Gildon and Maite Cazorla in memorable fashion Sunday, returning to form with a 96-78 win over USC.
EUGENE, Ore. — The stars aligned for Senior Day at Matthew Knight Arena on Sunday, with the UO women's basketball team sending off four-year contributors Maite Cazorla and Oti Gildon in memorable fashion before 8,232 fans. The Ducks ended their two-game losing streak with a 96-78 win over USC, remaining in control of the Pac-12 championship race entering the final weekend of the regular season.
On an afternoon when every player commanded the spotlight to some extent, Sabrina Ionescu recorded her NCAA-record seventh triple-double of the season and the 17th of her career in the No. 2 Ducks' victory over the Women of Troy. Erin Boley led the Ducks with a career-high 32 points as the UO women returned to form from three-point range, and the good vibes also included the return of junior Ruthy Hebard from a knee injury.
"This came at just the right time," UO coach Kelly Graves said of the Ducks' return to form. "We appreciate the timing of it, for sure."
How It Happened: Gildon started her second straight game — at Hebard's request, Graves said afterward — even though Hebard was cleared to return six days after injuring her knee at Oregon State, causing her to miss Friday's loss to UCLA. It was a track meet early on, with USC making 10-of-17 shots to lead 27-25 after the first 10 minutes. But Hebard returned midway through the quarter, providing an emotional boost that helped tilt momentum toward the Ducks.
USC's hot streak wilted under Oregon's defensive pressure in the second quarter. The Ducks forced the Women of Troy into 10 straight misses to open the period, with the UO women capitalizing to open up a 38-28 lead when freshman Taylor Chavez got to the basket for a layin. USC did make three straight baskets to end the quarter, but Oregon took a 40-36 lead in the second half.
"We obviously knew they were making shots," Boley said. "So we made an effort to slow down their three-point shot. We definitely picked up the defensive intensity."
In the third quarter, the UO women completely returned to form. The Ducks went 7-of-9 from three-point range in the period, more makes in 10 minutes than they had in either of their two losses earlier in the week. Boley made three from long distance in the quarter and Chavez connected twice, including a quarter-closing three that gave Ionescu her 10th assist and thus a triple-double.
The Ducks kept it up in the fourth quarter, with Boley making three more three-pointers and Satou Sabally completing a three-point play for the largest UO lead of the day at 91-65. Later in the period Morgan Yaeger flipped in a basket and Lydia Giomi made a free throw, making Sunday just the third game this season in which all nine active players on the UO roster registered a point.
"We knew what we needed to improve on and do better," Ionescu said. "And I think we did that tonight."
Who Stood Out: Ionescu finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. The triple-double extended her own NCAA career record — regardless of gender — and she broke the single-season record she had shared with Danielle Carson of Youngstown State (1986). Boley made 11-of-18 field-goal attempts overall and 8-of-11 from three-point range for her 32 points, and Hebard added 13 points with eight rebounds. Sabally continued to struggle from three-point range but didn't let that affect other aspects of her game, notching 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
What It Means: The Ducks looked like themselves for the first time in over a week, since their blowout win over Oregon State eight days earlier. In the wake of that night the UO women endured the injury to Hebard, ice-cold shooting and two defeats, but they put all that in the rear-view mirror Sunday.
"I think we'll ultimately be a better, more connected stronger team because of it," Boley said. "I think we'll be even tougher down the stretch."
Up Next: The Ducks close out the regular season in the desert, beginning at Arizona on Friday (7 p.m., Pac-12 Network). The Ducks can clinch at least a share of the Pac-12 title with a win in Tucson. Oregon can clinch an outright title with two wins.
On an afternoon when every player commanded the spotlight to some extent, Sabrina Ionescu recorded her NCAA-record seventh triple-double of the season and the 17th of her career in the No. 2 Ducks' victory over the Women of Troy. Erin Boley led the Ducks with a career-high 32 points as the UO women returned to form from three-point range, and the good vibes also included the return of junior Ruthy Hebard from a knee injury.
"This came at just the right time," UO coach Kelly Graves said of the Ducks' return to form. "We appreciate the timing of it, for sure."
How It Happened: Gildon started her second straight game — at Hebard's request, Graves said afterward — even though Hebard was cleared to return six days after injuring her knee at Oregon State, causing her to miss Friday's loss to UCLA. It was a track meet early on, with USC making 10-of-17 shots to lead 27-25 after the first 10 minutes. But Hebard returned midway through the quarter, providing an emotional boost that helped tilt momentum toward the Ducks.
USC's hot streak wilted under Oregon's defensive pressure in the second quarter. The Ducks forced the Women of Troy into 10 straight misses to open the period, with the UO women capitalizing to open up a 38-28 lead when freshman Taylor Chavez got to the basket for a layin. USC did make three straight baskets to end the quarter, but Oregon took a 40-36 lead in the second half.
"We obviously knew they were making shots," Boley said. "So we made an effort to slow down their three-point shot. We definitely picked up the defensive intensity."
In the third quarter, the UO women completely returned to form. The Ducks went 7-of-9 from three-point range in the period, more makes in 10 minutes than they had in either of their two losses earlier in the week. Boley made three from long distance in the quarter and Chavez connected twice, including a quarter-closing three that gave Ionescu her 10th assist and thus a triple-double.
The Ducks kept it up in the fourth quarter, with Boley making three more three-pointers and Satou Sabally completing a three-point play for the largest UO lead of the day at 91-65. Later in the period Morgan Yaeger flipped in a basket and Lydia Giomi made a free throw, making Sunday just the third game this season in which all nine active players on the UO roster registered a point.
"We knew what we needed to improve on and do better," Ionescu said. "And I think we did that tonight."
Who Stood Out: Ionescu finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. The triple-double extended her own NCAA career record — regardless of gender — and she broke the single-season record she had shared with Danielle Carson of Youngstown State (1986). Boley made 11-of-18 field-goal attempts overall and 8-of-11 from three-point range for her 32 points, and Hebard added 13 points with eight rebounds. Sabally continued to struggle from three-point range but didn't let that affect other aspects of her game, notching 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
What It Means: The Ducks looked like themselves for the first time in over a week, since their blowout win over Oregon State eight days earlier. In the wake of that night the UO women endured the injury to Hebard, ice-cold shooting and two defeats, but they put all that in the rear-view mirror Sunday.
"I think we'll ultimately be a better, more connected stronger team because of it," Boley said. "I think we'll be even tougher down the stretch."
Up Next: The Ducks close out the regular season in the desert, beginning at Arizona on Friday (7 p.m., Pac-12 Network). The Ducks can clinch at least a share of the Pac-12 title with a win in Tucson. Oregon can clinch an outright title with two wins.
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