It has been almost eight months since the Oregon women’s basketball team stepped on the court for the WNIT.
Saturday’s exhibition game — set to start at 5 p.m. at McArthur Court — represents the first test for the Ducks, but each player had an examination of her own on Friday. The squad’s first public scrimmage drew a large crowd — approximately 300 people — but not high-percentage shooting.
As a team, the Ducks attempted 35 3-pointers, but connected on just eight. Overall, Oregon shot 35 percent (39-for-111) from the field.
“I think that we executed well, and therefore produced a lot of open shots, and I think perhaps some nerves about the crowd we had, which was large for a scrimmage, affects them and how they play,” head coach Bev Smith said. “We don’t want to be perfect right now with that offensive shooting. It would be nice if it was up there but I think what we’re focusing on right now is defensive intensity, playing hard and playing together.”
Sophomore Andrea Bills led the team with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting, while junior Cathrine Kraayeveld pitched in with 15 points. Newcomer Carolyn Ganes had 12 points and five rebounds, while sophomore Brandi Davis — who missed last season due to academic reasons — scored eight points.
“We’re so used to playing in practice against each other, we’re beginning to get a little tired of it,” sophomore Kedzie Gunderson said. “Overall, we moved well and worked well as a team.”
Getting exclusive
Senior Shaquala Williams earned national recognition this week when ESPN.com named her one of the top five point guards in the nation.
According to analyst Nancy Lieberman, Williams is “very dynamic and hard to guard. She can handle the ball and score, and has stretched her game.”
“It’s a great compliment, especially coming from somebody like Nancy Lieberman, who is considered one of the all-time greats, but it’s just a humbling thing,” Williams said. “I’m just happy they recognized me, but I think right now I’d rather have them recognizing our team, saying that we’re one of the better teams in the country.”
Last season, Williams averaged 16.3 points and 3.9 assists per game as Oregon’s shooting guard. This season, she has moved to the point — her natural position — after vacating it because of Edniesha Curry’s presence last season.
Stanford’s Susan King made the “also considered” list as the only other player from the Pacific-10 Conference mentioned.
Top of the heap
Oregon’s non-conference schedule was ranked sixth-toughest in the nation Wednesday by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and Richie Summerville, a producer for ESPN Radio in Virginia Beach, Va.
The Ducks’ nine non-conference opponents combined to go 179-91 (.663) last season. Six of those teams made the NCAA Tournament.
Oregon’s overall strength of schedule, which includes Pac-10 games, is ranked 47th.
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