It seemed more was on the line in Saturday’s game at McArthur Court than the No. 8 seed for the Pacific-10 Conference tournament.
The Ducks (14-14 overall, 6-12 Pac-10) had their issues in the regular season. Injuries that plagued the team from the beginning of the season resulted in losses that dampened spirits and never allowed head coach Bev Smith to settle on one starting lineup.
California, though, might have had the more difficult season. The Golden Bears (11-16, 4-14) lost reserve player Alisa Lewis after she died from bacterial meningitis on Jan. 19.
Both teams have been in a holding pattern during conference play. The Ducks spent the majority of the season eighth in the Pac-10 while the Golden Bears were right behind at ninth.
“I think our team just really wanted to play for themselves and to play for (senior) Kayla Steen and to finish this weekend on a positive note — a sweep — so that we have a good feeling and sense of identity as we go into the Pac-10 Tournament,” Smith said after Saturday’s victory. “I think that’s what our mindset was today.”
The emotion of Oregon’s first sweep of the season, along with a fired-up crowd and California team, resulted in a very physical game and some exchanged words afterward.
When the Ducks met in the middle of the “O” on McArthur Court’s floor for their regular postgame huddle, California was in its way. It appeared that the Golden Bears pushed their way into the middle of the “O,” forcing the Ducks off to the side to wait for California to finish before Oregon could celebrate.
“We always go to the middle of the court at McArthur Court,” point guard Corrie Mizusawa said. “We never do that at away games.”
Both head coaches said it was an inconsequential event that didn’t stem from hard feelings.
“I think it’s just a little thing that happens at the end of the games when you’re at your home court and the teams are trying to do their closure,” Smith said. “I don’t think our players took anything from it.”
California and Oregon parted ways at the middle of the court, knowing they would meet again Friday in the second game of the Pac-10 tournament.
“Both teams have come full circle,” California head coach Caren Horstmeyer said Saturday.
The Ducks and Golden Bears opened and closed the Pac-10 regular season against each other, playing in Berkeley, Calif., on Dec. 27 and then in Eugene on Saturday.

Braceless
Mizusawa, who has a partially torn lateral meniscus in her left knee, spent two weeks playing with a brace on her knee. She chose not to wear the brace in Thursday’s game against Stanford and again Saturday against California.
“She felt that she was OK (without the brace) and that it maybe impeded her a little bit,” Smith said after Thursday’s game. “It tightens up and gets pretty sore and stiff, but she’s done a good job of icing it. (Assistant athletic trainer) Tom Embree’s really done a great job of making sure she’s practicing when she can and resting when she can.”
The other Oregon guard with a torn lateral meniscus, sophomore Chelsea Wagner, did not play in either of the Ducks’ final home games of the season.
“There are probably only so many plays left in those knees and only so many games,” Smith said. “It’s really stiffened up on her and has become quite painful. We chose to rest her tonight to see if she’d be ready for Saturday and if not quite ready then we’ll rest her again and see if she can play with us at the Pac-10 tournament.”

Tournament deja vu
For the second consecutive year, the Ducks will face the team they closed the regular season playing in their first game of the Pac-10 Tournament. In 2003, Oregon closed the regular season with a 56-54 loss to UCLA. One week later, the Ducks lost to the Bruins, 71-58.
The Ducks’ victorious outcome against California on Saturday will be tested Friday with an 8:15 p.m. tipoff.