After topping Washington last Saturday, the Oregon women now face their other northwest rival Oregon State on the road today at 7 p.m. for the first of two Civil War games played this week.
Conference road wins have been hard to come by for the Ducks (12-6 overall, 3-5 Pacific-10 Conference), who have not yet claimed one.
They came close two weeks ago in the desert, losing both games by single-digit deficits. The first was against No. 14 Arizona State, which narrowly escaped upset, beating Oregon 44-43. Arizona downed the Ducks by nine two days later in overtime.
Oregon swept the Washington schools at home last week, thanks to scoring highs from Eleanor Haring and Kaela Chapdelaine. Haring led in points (10) and rebounds (7) in the Ducks’ 54-50 win over Washington State Thursday. Chapdelaine scored 18 Satsurday to lead Oregon past the Huskies 81-73. In the win, seniors Chelsea Wagner and Brandi Davis were consistent from beyond the arc after sinking a combined 2 of 9 three-pointers against the Cougars. Davis and Wagner are second and fourth on the conference’s active career list for three-point shots made, respectively.
The Ducks are riding a modest two-game winning streak and sit at seventh in the Pac-10 standings behind three teams tied for fourth. Oregon State (8-8, 2-6) is alone in ninth.
Without a true center in coach LaVonda Wagner’s roster, the Beavers have relied heavily on speed and mid-range shots this season. Senior forward Kim Butler leads Oregon State in scoring with 272 points and averages 17 per game. Teammate Mandy Close is second in scoring (207) and has buried 20 three-pointers this season.
The Beavers have had trouble defending their home court, losing 4 of their last 7 games at Gill Coliseum. They hosted the Washington schools last week and finished with a split.
This season features the shortest break the Ducks and Beavers have ever had against one another.
They play again in Eugene Saturday at 1 p.m.
“I’m excited because with two games close together we’ll get a chance to make adjustments right away and go at it again,” Oregon’s Carolyn Ganes said.
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