The Ducks are making an attempt to find positives to build on with four weeks left in the Pacific-10 Conference’s regular season.
Oregon, which started the season 8-2 before picking up a 3-8 conference record so far this season, is happy with how it has bounced back from injuries, including the early loss of a big inside presence.
Other Ducks have tried to fill the hole left behind by Catherine Kraayeveld, and center Andrea Bills has stepped up for the challenge.
“Andrea has been a consistent go-to player for us,” head coach Bev Smith said Monday.
Bills leads the Ducks with an average of 11.9 points per game this season and is one of two players — point guard Corrie Mizusawa being the other — to start all 21 games. She has played in all 84 games of her Oregon career.
Bills, a junior from Moreno Valley, Calif., also leads the team with 11 blocked shots this season and 8.9 rebounds per game. Her rebounding has her third in the Pac-10.
She also has three double-doubles this season and has led or co-led the Ducks’ rebounding efforts in 16 consecutive games.
“She’s our best low-post player,” Smith said earlier this season. “Andrea has developed into a great defensive player and become a great defensive rebounder.”
Adding to the inside game for the Ducks are sophomore Yadili Okwumabua and junior Kedzie Gunderson.
“Yadili is doing what we need her to do — playing fearlessly on offense and defense,” Smith said Monday. “Kedzie has been solid for us defensively.”

Weekly injury update
Smith said the one-game week came at a good time because they have a few bumps and bruises to take care of during their short break.
Three players have injuries that need to heal: guard Chelsea Wagner’s torn left lateral meniscus, forward Carolyn Ganes’ ankle and forward Jessica Shetters’ back.
“Chelsea was very sore for the game on Saturday,” Smith said. “She has some time to rest and have her knee drained and looked after. Carolyn’s ankle is not 100 percent, but ready to go.”