There was little excitement and spontaneity in this season’s
two-part Civil War series for women’s basketball.
The outcomes were predictable as Oregon, with its veteran lineup that features four seniors, claimed both games and outscored Oregon State, 146-113.
Much of what happened in Corvallis a month ago for the first
installment of this season’s match-up foreshadowed what occurred last weekend.
With all appearing to be figured out, there was one surprise — the final score of Saturday’s game.
As expected, the Ducks claimed their seventh-consecutive McArthur Court victory in front of a season-high crowd. The final score was
64-55, closer and lower than expected.
“I think we were content with how we were playing, not really looking at getting better toward the end of the game,” Oregon point guard Corrie Mizusawa said after her team scored three points in the final five minutes.
As anticipated, senior guard Brandi Davis was inserted into Oregon’s starting lineup for the first time this season — 33rd of her career — after putting together a productive pair of games against the Los Angeles schools last week.
Davis posted a quiet five points in the first half but shined on defense with four steals in 26 minutes.
“Overall I think we did a pretty good job on our defense,” Oregon forward Cathrine Kraayeveld said. “We didn’t play horrible, but we’re just not happy with the way we finished the game out.”
Oregon State senior guard Shannon Howell led both games in scoring and field goal attempts, and both times her team shot 39 percent from the field.
Oregon’s leading scorer was senior Andrea Bills, followed by Kraayeveld. Mizusawa dished out game-highs in assists in each contest and supplied some of the only jaw-dropping plays on Saturday.
“She’s a true point guard and that’s something we missed before she got here,” Kraayeveld said. “She can definitely thread the needle with the pass.”
The most important aspect of this series was Oregon’s display of teamwork. Its bench scored 53 points and the team accumulated 30 assists to prove its unselfishness. Mizusawa had 17 of those.
“I know where everyone is, especially hot shooters,” she said. “That’s part of my game, seeing the floor and getting everyone involved and having them hit those baskets for me.”
The Ducks committed fewer turnovers, dished out more assists, collected more steals and finished with better shooting from beyond the arc in each game while the Beavers’ only advantage came off the boards.
As the Ducks look back at how they kept Oregon State in check, they have to look forward to defying the predictions set against them as they play four of their final six Pac-10 games on the road.
“The challenge is right there, we’ve got really good momentum,” Oregon head coach Bev Smith said. “Our players are understanding how good we can be defensively and we have some depth offensively.”

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