A little unconventionally, the Ducks will be migrating north this winter. Well, OK, for just one game, and only about 100 miles to Portland.
Nonetheless, a change of scenery is in store for the 12th-ranked Oregon women’s basketball team (3-0 overall) as it takes on Santa Clara in the annual Papé Jam at the Rose Garden. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday.
The confines of the Portland Trailblazers’ home, with seating for more than 20,000 fans, is a unique experience for the Ducks, who are used to the tight yet boisterous McArthur Court.
Oregon has won its last two contests at the Rose Garden, with victories against Portland State, 79-42, last year and DePaul, 86-57, in 1998.
“I’ve enjoyed playing there,” junior guard Jamie Craighead said. “It’s not as loud as Mac Court, but it’s definitely a different atmosphere, and will be good preparation for Texas Tech.”
Oregon will attempt to defeat its third ranked opponent of the year on Dec. 13 when it heads to No. 10 Texas Tech.
But it can’t overlook a beatable-but-dangerous Santa Clara squad (2-1 overall). Last season, the Ducks squeezed out a 66-60 victory in the Bay area to take a 6-1 series advantage against the Broncos. Santa Clara’s only victory against the Ducks came in 1985.”I get the impression that they are the same kind of team they were last year,” senior guard/forward Lindsey Dion said. “They have some girls that can shoot the three from pretty far out.”
To complement its shooting, Santa Clara showcases 6-foot-3 center Annie Garrison, the school’s all-time leading shot blocker. Additionally, the Bronco’s have a solid play caller controlling the ball.
“Their point guard is very talented,” said Craighead, who will carry the task of defending Becki Asbaugh, the Broncos’ junior play maker who paced her team with 18 points and six assists against the Ducks last year. “It’s going to be tough to stop her, but I just have to force her to the baseline and try to make it difficult for her to run the offense.”
The Ducks say they must play better defensively to stay undefeated after Saturday’s matchup.
“We didn’t exactly do a very good job on the defensive end against Portland,” Dion said. “We have to put things together this weekend to make things a little more balanced on the defensive end for a team like Santa Clara.”
Senior center Jenny Mowe, who led the Ducks with 14 points and 12 rebounds in last season’s win against Santa Clara, said the team must remain focused throughout the preseason.
“We have to execute our offense and play a little better defense,” Mowe said. “We also have to keep up our intensity and not let our play go down to our opponents.”
Oregon defeated Portland 80-56 in the home opener Nov. 24. The bench, which has played a pivotal role in the Ducks’ success thus far, scored 38 points, including 12 from junior Ndidi Unaka, who also had four rebounds, three assists and five steals.
Coach Jody Runge’s squad began the season with a bang by winning the GlaxoWellcome Invitational at North Carolina State. Led by senior Angelina Wolvert’s MVP performance, the Ducks beat the host school, ranked 22nd nationally, and No. 18 Wisconsin.