Lindsey Dion’s somber look and quiet words summed up Oregon’s performance Thursday night.
As the women’s basketball team’s emotional leader, the senior forward’s confidence typically reflects the attitude of the entire team. And in Thursday’s 55-53 loss to Southern California, the scenario was no different — except it didn’t go exactly as it usually does.
With 14 seconds remaining and Oregon trailing by two, Dion received the inbounds pass, drove the length of the court, pulled up from 18 feet and … threw up an air ball.
But, fortunately for the Ducks, the ball was tipped out by USC, giving Oregon a ray of hope.
The ball went to Dion again, who, with less than five seconds, turned, leaped and … was blocked, crushing the Ducks’ confidence and their undefeated mark at home this season.
“There was no real contact there … I just completely dropped the ball when it was in my hands,” Dion said. “I didn’t have the confidence in myself to make the shot, and I didn’t make it. I just choked.”
Prior to Thursday’s loss, Oregon had compiled an impressive 28-4 record with Dion in the starting lineup. But, as it seems to be going for the ailing Ducks lately, things just didn’t seem to click.
Dion’s lack of confidence resembled Oregon’s lack of chemistry offensively. With an aggressive, athletic Trojan defense, the Ducks were not able to make many solid runs or take many open looks from behind the arc. Heading into the game, the team was averaging more than 13 three-point attempts, but took just seven against USC.
“They really got in our heads offensively,” Oregon head coach Jody Runge said. “We’re having a lot of confidence issues right now, especially shooting free-throws.”
From behind the charity stripe, Oregon shot a dismal 50 percent, far below its season average of 70 percent.
“We played a little tentative and missed a lot of easy ones,” said senior forward Brianne Meharry, who led the Ducks with 12 points. “I definitely don’t think that that was even close to our full potential.”
A left ankle sprain kept Dion on the sideline in the Ducks’ loss last Saturday at Washington State, but she said it had little to do with her play against USC Thursday. Despite the injury, Dion finished the game with 10 points and three steals in 34 minutes.
Oregon will try to snap the two-game skid against UCLA at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mac Court.
“We faced a lot of adversity before, and we’re a resilient bunch, so I think we’ll be all right on Saturday,” Dion said.