The Oregon women’s basketball team got a taste of success early this season and the Ducks are undoubtedly looking to keep that up in the vigorous conference that is the Pac-12.
Oregon went 9-2 over their 11 game non-conference schedule that ended in a 96-61 win over California State University Northridge at home on Dec. 29. The win was the seventh consecutive for the Ducks, who benefited from a 28-point performance from freshman Chrishae Rowe. The seventh consecutive victory was the most ever in coach Paul Westhead’s tenure so far at Oregon.
However, the Ducks came to a grinding halt against two of the Pac-12’s best teams in the Bay Area over the weekend. The Ducks lost to No. 4 Stanford on Jan. 3 96-66 and narrowly to No. 23 California 101-98 on Jan. 5. The game in Berkeley, Calif., was encouraging for the Ducks, as they showed resiliency to rally from an 11 point deficit in the second half to push the Bears to overtime.
Westhead knew that after the last non-conference game of the year, the Ducks would face quite a challenge from the solid opponents that make up the Pac-12.
“We were good this year,” Westhead told GoDucks.com following the win over CSU-Northridge. “I don’t know how good we are. I can’t project ahead. We play five of our next six on the road, which is not a good way to start no matter how good you are.
Rowe and Alleyne both believe that they need to emphasize defense during practice and become more focused on trapping the other team.
“I think our defense is something that we have to work on because it’s such a big part of our offense and our game,” Rowe said following the win over CSU Northridge. “But I do like our team chemistry, and just how far we have come. We’re way better as a team.”
Though the two losses now bring the Ducks to a 9-4 record, Oregon showed promise on its first road trip in the Pac-12 conference.
Rowe and sophomore Jillian Alleyne have lit up the scoreboard early and often for the Ducks as the duo now holds the title for highest scoring teammates in the Pac-12, averaging a combined 44.2 points per game. Through the Stanford game, Alleyne had her 11th double-double of the season and ninth consecutive of the season.
As as team, the Ducks lead the nation in most points scored under Westhead’s “system” with 101.7 points per game, despite their season-low tally of 66 points at Stanford.
“I do think that our players feel good about what we’re doing that they will sustain themselves,” Westhead said. “I think at the end of the six games, they will be fine. They kind of have an identity now of what they can do. And that’s run the ball.”
Alleyne is continuing to blow the conference away in rebounds, currently leading with 14.2 rebounds per game. Stanford’s Chiney Ogwumike ranks second with 11.5 rebounds per game.
The Ducks will host their in-state rival Oregon State this Saturday at 5 p.m. and then travel to Corvallis to face the Beavers again on Monday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne