It got as loud as 101 decibels in McArthur Court as 4,471 fans
observed the Oregon women’s basketball team battle No. 10 Ohio State
in the second game of the Nike Classic on Saturday.
The Buckeyes (10-1) controlled the contest from the start and
eventually earned a 73-58 victory that put Oregon at 7-1 on the
season.
The rim’s iron rang all night for the Ducks, but helpful bounces
seldom occurred as they shot a season-low 31.5 percent (17 of 54)
from the field. It was also the fewest amount of points scored by the
Ducks this season.
“They (Ohio State) were just a tough team to try and crack,”
Oregon
head coach Bev Smith said. “There were moments where I thought we
did
a really good job and took some really good shots, but they just
didn’t fall in.”
Senior forward Cathrine Kraayeveld scored a game-high 21 points (6 of
15) and proved to be Oregon’s sole offensive threat.
“We do have a lot of offensive threats on this team,” Kraayeveld
said
after recording more than 20 points for her second-consecutive game.
“It hurts us a little bit when we don’t have the people who are
normally scoring, scoring.”
Oregon center Andrea Bills scored nine points, while the recently
hot-handed Eleanor Haring sank only one field goal and finished the
night 1 of 7 from the floor.
Ohio State scored immediately after winning the tip-off and compiled
a 14-3 scoring streak that spanned through the first six minutes of
the game. By halftime, the Buckeyes held a 31-22 advantage.
“We got into a good rhythm and we were able to disturb their
offense.” Ohio State center Jessica Davenport said, following her
second double-double performance of the season with 12 points and 11
rebounds.
In the second half, Oregon squeezed its deficit down to four points,
but could not get closer than 51-47 with 8:23 left on the clock. The
Buckeyes matched basket with basket in the final minutes until their
lead reached double-digits once again.
“We showed a lot of composure,” Ohio State head coach Jim Foster
said. “I thought we did a good job of taking care of business.”
Senior forward Caity Matter scored a team-high 19 points for the
Buckeyes. Guards Brandie Hoskins and Ashley Allen pitched in with 11
and 10 points, respectively. Ohio State finished the night shooting
52 percent.
Coach Smith explained that the practices leading up to the game
lacked focus and intensity. In turn, that approach translated into
negative results.
“We didn’t play our best game against them,” Smith said. “We
have to
make sure the engine is on and well-tuned.”
Kraayeveld hauled in a team-best seven rebounds for the Ducks, all on
the defensive end. However, Ohio State dominated on the boards as it
brought down 42 in comparison to Oregon’s 22.
On a positive note, Oregon managed to convert a season-best 81
percent (17 of 21) of its shots from the free-throw line.
“Our players are really committing to it and putting pressure on
themselves,” Smith said. “It’s going to be important as we get
into
Pac-10 play.”
The Ducks limited turnovers to a season-low seven. Smith said with a
more active offense, the winning should resume.
“It’s good to play a team of this caliber, this early. It really
gives us a good idea of where we are and where we need to go.”
