Utah forward Emily Potter was a thorn in the Ducks’ side last year.
She scored 22 points, 23 points and 21 points in three games between Oregon and Utah.
But on Sunday afternoon at Matthew Knight Arena, the Ducks slowed down the 6-foot-6 Potter, forcing her into foul trouble and limiting her to 12 points and nine rebounds. She also had five blocks.
The performance was indicative of Oregon’s growth from last year, bolstered inside by Pac-12 freshman of the year candidate Ruthy Hebard, who tallied 25 points and 10 rebounds.
“Our kids did a nice job of helping when they needed it and just bodying her and winning that position,” head coach Kelly Graves said.
The 84-66 victory gives the Ducks their fourth win in the last five games and evens the team’s conference record at 4-4.
Potter, who entered the weekend averaging 15.8 points a game, had just four points at the break as the Ducks took their first halftime lead of Pac-12 play, 36-22.
“We wanted to make Potter work,” Graves said. “We did it early.”
Hebard praised Mallory McGwire’s efforts against Potter, an all-Pac-12 selection last season by the league’s coaches and media.
McGwire tallied eight points and five rebounds in the win.
“Mallory did a great job tonight,” Hebard said. “I think the key was just be physical with her and make her shoot uncomfortable shots.”
The Ducks worked to present uncomfortable looks for Potter throughout the game. Graves said the conference’s seventh best scorer isn’t as effective away from the basket. Potter leads the Utes in points, field goal percentage, rebounds and blocks.
“We can at least match up, size-wise,” Graves said. “We didn’t really cover down like we thought we would. I thought in the first half she was a little tentative, I think more than normal.
“Give Mallory and Jacinta [Vandenberg] credit. They did a nice job pushing her out of her comfort zone. You get her six feet in, she’s really good. Maybe eight feet out, she’s just maybe not as good.”
Hebard continues to impress. Her performance on Sunday gave her the seventh double-double 20 games into her collegiate career. Graves said he was proud of her defensive effort against Utah’s post players.
“Where I’ve been most impressed with her development is on the defensive end,” Graves said. “I think defensively she’s picking things up. She’s been tremendous.”
The Ducks have also benefited from Sierra Campisano’s play, who continues to acclimate to the court after an off-season foot injury. She had six points against Utah and played 12 minutes, her second highest mark since conference play began.
 
Almost all of Oregon’s post production on Sunday came from the team’s freshmen. Hebard, Campisano and McGwire combined to score 39 of Oregon’s 45 post points. Ionescu, who had a triple-double for the Ducks, said the freshmen have benefited from more on-court time as the season has progressed.
“We’re starting to mold a little bit better knowing our personnel,” Ionescu said. “Playing more games together and riding the roller coaster of ups and downs is definitely helping us.”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne