Friday, January 1
Eugene, OR
6:00 PM
University of Oregon
vs
USC
No. 8 Ducks Host USC to Kick Off 2021
12/29/20 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. - After capping the 2020 calendar year with a thrilling comeback win at Washington State last Monday to improve to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play, the No. 8 ranked Oregon women's basketball team will kick off 2021 this Friday with a New Year's Day matchup against USC in Matthew Knight Arena.
Oregon enters 2021 having won a program-record 26 straight games dating back to last season, the longest active winning streak in the nation, and the Ducks also rank in the top three in the NCAA for consecutive conference (23), home (21) and road (13) victories. Oregon is 52-2 inside Matthew Knight Arena since the start of the 2017-18 season, including 3-0 so far in 2020-21.
Game Details
Matchup: #8 Oregon (7-0, 5-0) vs. USC (3-4, 1-4)
Date: Friday, January 1, 2021
Location: Eugene, Ore.
Venue: Matthew Knight Arena
Opening Tip: 6:06 p.m. PT
Broadcast Information
TV: Pac-12 Network
pac-12.com/live
PxP: Ann Schatz | Analyst: Elise Woodward
Radio: Oregon Sports Network
Eugene: KUGN 590 AM | Portland: KDZR 1640 AM
PXP: Terry Jonz | Analyst: Bev Smith
Numbers to Know
5-5 - Erin Boley went 5-of-5 from deep for 18 points at WSU, becoming just the third Duck ever to shoot perfect from 3PT range with 5+ attempts.
10 - Oregon has had at least 10 different players score in all seven games so far this season, with 12 Ducks scoring twice.
14 - Nyara Sabally led UO to a comeback win at WSU with 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for her second double-double.
26 - Oregon has won a program-record 26 straight games dating back to 2019-20, the longest active win streak in the nation.
52-2 - The Ducks are a stellar 52-2 at MKA since the start of the 2017-18 season, including 21 consecutive home wins.
53.1 - Oregon ranks in the top 20 in the nation this season in total scoring defense with just 53.1 points allowed per game.
» Extend Oregon's program record and the nation's longest active winning streak to 27 games dating back to 2019-20.
» Be the Ducks' 24th straight in Pac-12 play, 22nd consecutive at home and ninth in a row vs. USC.
» Make Oregon 8-0 overall to start a season for just the third time in program history (2015-16, 1978-79).
» Give UO a 6-0 start to Pac-12 play for the third time in the last four seasons.
» Improve Oregon to 53-2 at home since the start of 2017-18.
Series History vs. USC
All-Time Series Record: USC leads, 45-26
Current Streak: Oregon W8
Last Meeting: Oregon won, 93-67 (2/16/20, in L.A.)
Big Plays At Both Ends Seal Comeback Win
The nation's longest active winning streak appeared to be in jeopardy last Monday, Dec. 21, in Pullman, Wash., but the Ducks got an impressive double-double by Nyara Sabally, clutch shots from Jaz Shelley and Erin Boley, and impact defensive plays from Maddie Scherr to claw back and win, 69-65, to improve to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in Pac-12 play. After trailing for less than four minutes total through the first six games combined, Oregon played from behind for more than 31 minutes in Pullman while allowing 30 or more points in the first half and 60 or more points in a game for the first time this season. WSU led 62-60 late in the game, but Shelley banked in a three-pointer to put Oregon ahead, Scherr came up with a crucial steal on the Cougars' end, and Boley hit a corner triple to make it 66-62. WSU closed to 67-65 and got an open look at a three for the lead, but Scherr hauled in the miss and then iced the victory with two free throws. Boley finished with 18 points on 5-of-5 three-point shooting - becoming just the third Duck ever to shoot perfect from deep with five or more makes - and Sabally was the Ducks' most consistent performer from start to finish with a team-high 19 points and career-high 14 rebounds for her second double-double. "This is good," Kelly Graves said after the game. "This is an eye-opener for them, and a humbling experience. But they passed the test."
Parrish Wins Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, Ducks Stifle Huskies
Oregon struggled offensively for the first time this season on Dec. 19 against Washington in Seattle - shooting just 41.8 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from three-point range - but the Ducks continued to showcase their depth and defensive tenacity to win comfortably, 73-49. UO held its opponent to less than 50 points for the second time this season and fewer than 60 points for the sixth time, and the Ducks matched their season-high with 11 steals while forcing 20 total turnovers. Sydney Parrish broke out with a team- and career-high 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting - including 4-of-8 from three-point range - to become the fifth different player to lead Oregon in scoring already this season. Parrish's impressive performance, highlighted by 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, earned her Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors, the first weekly award won by a Duck this season.
No Lack Of Depth For New-Look Ducks
Kelly Graves wasted no time reloading a roster that lost four starters from last season's 31-2 squad - including three WNBA top-10 picks in Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Ruthy Hebard. Oregon brought in the nation's top-ranked freshman class along with a pair of transfers to join four returners and two redshirts, and the Ducks' depth has been on display early on in 2020-21. At least 10 different players have scored in each of Oregon's first seven games - including 12 against both Portland and Colorado - and eight Ducks are averaging 5.0 PPG or more entering the weekend with four averaging double figures. The Ducks have had at least three double-digit scorers in every game with nine players combining for 23 total double-figure scoring performances. Through seven games, Oregon has already had five different players lead the team in scoring and four different Ducks have paced the team in rebounding.
Starting Fast
Oregon's fast start to the 2020-21 season has largely been fueled by getting off to fast starts in games. The Ducks are outscoring opponents 153-82 in the first quarter this season, the most points UO has scored in any quarter as well as the fewest they have allowed in any period. Oregon has also done a good job of getting off to a strong start out of halftime, posting a similar 151-89 scoring advantage in the third quarter this season. As the calendar turns to 2021, the Ducks will aim to get better at finishing games strong in the fourth quarter, where they own their smallest scoring margin of any period at 140-103. UO showed good composure at Washington State after facing their first real deficit of the season, outscoring the Cougars 20-15 in the fourth quarter to come back and win.
Nyara Sabally Well Worth The Wait
It's been a long two-plus years for Nyara Sabally - who lost the opportunity to play with her sister Satou Sabally after suffering knee injuries in each of her first two seasons as a Duck - but early on in 2020-21 it seems the 6-foot-5 forward was well worth the wait. Sabally leads Oregon through seven games with 8.3 RPG (No. 3 in Pac-12) and is second with 12.1 PPG while shooting an impressive 61.7 percent (37-of-60) from the floor, the third-best mark in the conference. The Berlin, Germany, native has a team-best two double-doubles - recording 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Pac-12 opener vs. Colorado before going off for 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds last Monday at Washington State. "It hurt my heart my heart to not be on the court with my teammates," Sabally said after the Colorado game. "Now that I'm on the court, it's the best feeling ever."
Cracking Down Defensively
The Ducks are well known as one of the nation's premiere offensive teams, but 2019-20 saw Oregon rise to prominence on the defensive end as well. Led by Pac-12 all-defensive selection Minyon Moore, the Ducks improved from 135th nationally to 41st overall in scoring defense, allowing a single-season program low 57.9 points per game. Oregon has been terrific defensively so far in 2020-21, holding six of its seven opponents to fewer than 60 points and two to less than 50 points. UO was especially tough defensively on Dec. 6 vs. Utah behind four blocks from Nyara Sabally, holding the Utes to 28.6 percent shooting while forcing 19 turnovers in an 85-43 win to tie for the fewest points Oregon has allowed in a conference game since 2008-09. "I've been really pleased with our defense," Kelly Graves said after the Dec. 19 game at Washington.
Up Next
The No. 8 Ducks will face a big test on Sunday when No. 11 UCLA comes to MKA for a 1 PM PT showdown on Pac-12 Network.
Oregon enters 2021 having won a program-record 26 straight games dating back to last season, the longest active winning streak in the nation, and the Ducks also rank in the top three in the NCAA for consecutive conference (23), home (21) and road (13) victories. Oregon is 52-2 inside Matthew Knight Arena since the start of the 2017-18 season, including 3-0 so far in 2020-21.
Game Details
Matchup: #8 Oregon (7-0, 5-0) vs. USC (3-4, 1-4)
Date: Friday, January 1, 2021
Location: Eugene, Ore.
Venue: Matthew Knight Arena
Opening Tip: 6:06 p.m. PT
Broadcast Information
TV: Pac-12 Network
pac-12.com/live
PxP: Ann Schatz | Analyst: Elise Woodward
Radio: Oregon Sports Network
Eugene: KUGN 590 AM | Portland: KDZR 1640 AM
PXP: Terry Jonz | Analyst: Bev Smith
Numbers to Know
5-5 - Erin Boley went 5-of-5 from deep for 18 points at WSU, becoming just the third Duck ever to shoot perfect from 3PT range with 5+ attempts.
10 - Oregon has had at least 10 different players score in all seven games so far this season, with 12 Ducks scoring twice.
14 - Nyara Sabally led UO to a comeback win at WSU with 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for her second double-double.
26 - Oregon has won a program-record 26 straight games dating back to 2019-20, the longest active win streak in the nation.
52-2 - The Ducks are a stellar 52-2 at MKA since the start of the 2017-18 season, including 21 consecutive home wins.
53.1 - Oregon ranks in the top 20 in the nation this season in total scoring defense with just 53.1 points allowed per game.
A Win Would...5-for-5 from deep with the ???????????? from the corner?
— Oregon Women's Basketball (@OregonWBB) December 22, 2020
Erin Boley was ???????????? in yesterday's comeback win, becoming only the third Duck ever to shoot ?????????????? from 3-point range with at least five makes ??#GoDucks x @ErinnSB21 pic.twitter.com/gXgwfbzeDW
» Extend Oregon's program record and the nation's longest active winning streak to 27 games dating back to 2019-20.
» Be the Ducks' 24th straight in Pac-12 play, 22nd consecutive at home and ninth in a row vs. USC.
» Make Oregon 8-0 overall to start a season for just the third time in program history (2015-16, 1978-79).
» Give UO a 6-0 start to Pac-12 play for the third time in the last four seasons.
» Improve Oregon to 53-2 at home since the start of 2017-18.
Series History vs. USC
All-Time Series Record: USC leads, 45-26
Current Streak: Oregon W8
Last Meeting: Oregon won, 93-67 (2/16/20, in L.A.)
Big Plays At Both Ends Seal Comeback Win
The nation's longest active winning streak appeared to be in jeopardy last Monday, Dec. 21, in Pullman, Wash., but the Ducks got an impressive double-double by Nyara Sabally, clutch shots from Jaz Shelley and Erin Boley, and impact defensive plays from Maddie Scherr to claw back and win, 69-65, to improve to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in Pac-12 play. After trailing for less than four minutes total through the first six games combined, Oregon played from behind for more than 31 minutes in Pullman while allowing 30 or more points in the first half and 60 or more points in a game for the first time this season. WSU led 62-60 late in the game, but Shelley banked in a three-pointer to put Oregon ahead, Scherr came up with a crucial steal on the Cougars' end, and Boley hit a corner triple to make it 66-62. WSU closed to 67-65 and got an open look at a three for the lead, but Scherr hauled in the miss and then iced the victory with two free throws. Boley finished with 18 points on 5-of-5 three-point shooting - becoming just the third Duck ever to shoot perfect from deep with five or more makes - and Sabally was the Ducks' most consistent performer from start to finish with a team-high 19 points and career-high 14 rebounds for her second double-double. "This is good," Kelly Graves said after the game. "This is an eye-opener for them, and a humbling experience. But they passed the test."
Parrish Wins Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, Ducks Stifle Huskies
Oregon struggled offensively for the first time this season on Dec. 19 against Washington in Seattle - shooting just 41.8 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from three-point range - but the Ducks continued to showcase their depth and defensive tenacity to win comfortably, 73-49. UO held its opponent to less than 50 points for the second time this season and fewer than 60 points for the sixth time, and the Ducks matched their season-high with 11 steals while forcing 20 total turnovers. Sydney Parrish broke out with a team- and career-high 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting - including 4-of-8 from three-point range - to become the fifth different player to lead Oregon in scoring already this season. Parrish's impressive performance, highlighted by 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, earned her Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors, the first weekly award won by a Duck this season.
No Lack Of Depth For New-Look Ducks
Kelly Graves wasted no time reloading a roster that lost four starters from last season's 31-2 squad - including three WNBA top-10 picks in Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Ruthy Hebard. Oregon brought in the nation's top-ranked freshman class along with a pair of transfers to join four returners and two redshirts, and the Ducks' depth has been on display early on in 2020-21. At least 10 different players have scored in each of Oregon's first seven games - including 12 against both Portland and Colorado - and eight Ducks are averaging 5.0 PPG or more entering the weekend with four averaging double figures. The Ducks have had at least three double-digit scorers in every game with nine players combining for 23 total double-figure scoring performances. Through seven games, Oregon has already had five different players lead the team in scoring and four different Ducks have paced the team in rebounding.
Starting Fast
Oregon's fast start to the 2020-21 season has largely been fueled by getting off to fast starts in games. The Ducks are outscoring opponents 153-82 in the first quarter this season, the most points UO has scored in any quarter as well as the fewest they have allowed in any period. Oregon has also done a good job of getting off to a strong start out of halftime, posting a similar 151-89 scoring advantage in the third quarter this season. As the calendar turns to 2021, the Ducks will aim to get better at finishing games strong in the fourth quarter, where they own their smallest scoring margin of any period at 140-103. UO showed good composure at Washington State after facing their first real deficit of the season, outscoring the Cougars 20-15 in the fourth quarter to come back and win.
Nyara Sabally Well Worth The Wait
It's been a long two-plus years for Nyara Sabally - who lost the opportunity to play with her sister Satou Sabally after suffering knee injuries in each of her first two seasons as a Duck - but early on in 2020-21 it seems the 6-foot-5 forward was well worth the wait. Sabally leads Oregon through seven games with 8.3 RPG (No. 3 in Pac-12) and is second with 12.1 PPG while shooting an impressive 61.7 percent (37-of-60) from the floor, the third-best mark in the conference. The Berlin, Germany, native has a team-best two double-doubles - recording 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Pac-12 opener vs. Colorado before going off for 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds last Monday at Washington State. "It hurt my heart my heart to not be on the court with my teammates," Sabally said after the Colorado game. "Now that I'm on the court, it's the best feeling ever."
Cracking Down Defensively
The Ducks are well known as one of the nation's premiere offensive teams, but 2019-20 saw Oregon rise to prominence on the defensive end as well. Led by Pac-12 all-defensive selection Minyon Moore, the Ducks improved from 135th nationally to 41st overall in scoring defense, allowing a single-season program low 57.9 points per game. Oregon has been terrific defensively so far in 2020-21, holding six of its seven opponents to fewer than 60 points and two to less than 50 points. UO was especially tough defensively on Dec. 6 vs. Utah behind four blocks from Nyara Sabally, holding the Utes to 28.6 percent shooting while forcing 19 turnovers in an 85-43 win to tie for the fewest points Oregon has allowed in a conference game since 2008-09. "I've been really pleased with our defense," Kelly Graves said after the Dec. 19 game at Washington.
Up Next
The No. 8 Ducks will face a big test on Sunday when No. 11 UCLA comes to MKA for a 1 PM PT showdown on Pac-12 Network.
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