This is not the kind of start anyone had envisioned.
After a 77-73 loss to Portland on Tuesday, head coach Bev Smith and the Oregon women’s basketball team have now lost two of their first three games of the season.
In 17 previous meetings between the regional foes, the Pilots (2-0 overall) had won just one game against the Ducks prior to Tuesday’s triumph at the Chiles Center in Portland.
“We struggled tonight,” first-year coach Smith said. “We have to have five people ready to play. There comes a time in the season where you have to make changes and find a starting five.”
Oregon trailed 66-56 with 3:30 to play, but a three-pointer by senior point guard Edniesha Curry with 20 seconds left brought the Ducks within one at 74-73.
But Hanna Seltzer hit two free throws on the Pilots’ next possession, and a steal by junior guard Ashlee Giles with 13 seconds left sealed the victory for Portland.
Curry, who had a game-high 20 points, scored seven points in the final minute and the Ducks were 4-for-6 on three-pointers in the final four minutes. For the game, though, Oregon was a dismal 3-of-22 on threes and shot just 37 percent from the floor.
“We’re just not gelling yet,” said Curry, who also had six rebounds and five assists. “We didn’t have that cohesiveness for the whole for minutes. We have to come out ready to play.”
Junior guard Shaquala Williams, Oregon’s leading scorer in the first two games, had 14 points, while sophomore Cathrine Kraayeveld added 10 rebounds.
Portland had five players score in double figures, led by Giles, who scored 18 points. Oregon won the battle of the boards, 42-41.

Jammin’ with TCU
In the fourth annual Papé Jam this Saturday at the Rose Garden in Portland, the Ducks will battle the Texas Christian Lady Frogs, who enter the game 2-0 overall.
Oregon is 3-0 in the Jam, including a 62-54 victory over Santa Clara last year.
Saturday will be the first time the Ducks and Lady Frogs meet.
Texas Christian cruised past Air Force, 71-48, last weekend to continue its perfect start.
In its Nov. 16 season-opener against Sam Houston State, 6-foot-4 high school All-American Sandora Irvin led Texas Christian with 22 points and 18 rebounds in a 117-50 win.
Six players scored in double figures for Lady Frogs, including junior forward Grace Gantt, who had a game-high 25 points.
Tipoff is at 5 p.m.