The Oregon women’s basketball team received a scare Sunday when Chelsea Wagner limped off the court during a game against Northwest Sports.
Oregon warmed up after a slow start and won the exhibition game easily 87-56 in front of 2,850 at McArthur Court.
Toward the end of the first half, Wagner twisted her knee and limped off the court.
Afterward concern centered on Wagner, who is returning to the court after her junior season ended in the 15th game with an injury to the same knee.
She said she felt a pop, but doesn’t believe it is serious.
“I don’t have any fears whatsoever,”
Wagner said. “My knee is strong. I didn’t tear my ACL or anything. It’s nothing horrible.”
Wagner will undergo a precautionary MRI today, head coach Bev Smith said.
“Any time (an injury) happens it’s a concern,” Smith said. “We’ve been through it. She’s a warrior and I know she’ll bounce back as quickly as she can.”
Two other players returning this season, Carolyn Ganes and Kedzie Gunderson, made their presence felt offensively and defensively.
Ganes answered several Northwest Sports runs in the second half with mid-range jumpers around the three-point line. She also spread the defense as Oregon outscored Northwest Sports 38-18 inside the paint.
She finished with 18 points on 64 percent shooting.
“Carolyn is one of the purest shooters I’ve ever seen, not only in this country, but in the world,” Smith said.
The redshirt forward entered this season needing to work on defense and rebounding, Smith said. Ganes had four defensive rebounds Sunday.
Complementing Ganes, Gunderson – known as a standout defender – had several opportunities within Oregon’s offense. She tipped a rebound to herself and made a layup. Gunderson also showed a jump shot when she dribbled past a defender and swished a mid-range jumper.
“Kedzie is a slasher,” Smith said. “She’s got a great little dribble jumper that she pulled out (Sunday).”
Defense is her main focus.
“I’m definitely, now, working more on crashing the boards, getting some offensive rebounds and doing the little dirty work,” Gunderson said.
Northwest Sports is a traveling team made of former women’s college basketball players.
Ex-WNBA player Stacy Clinesmith scored 18 points for the rapid fire three-point shooting team. Sports launched 33 three-point shots Sunday and made seven.
Oregon started the game by trading baskets before using an 18-3 run including two three-point plays by forward Kristen Forristall gave Oregon a 19-point halftime lead.
Northwest Sports used its quick shooting to pull within 61-48 halfway through the second half, but Oregon responded with baskets by Ganes, Cicely Oaks and Eleanor Haring to expand the lead to 69-52.
Gabrielle Richards added her second double-double of the preseason with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Similar to the first exhibition game against the University of British Columbia, Smith used a deep rotation, giving every player except freshman Tamika Nurse more than 10 minutes of playing time. Forward Yadili Okwumabua sat out again as she recovers from off-season knee surgery.
