Entering this season, Kaela Chapdelaine faced a tough challenge: replace graduated guard Corrie Mizusawa, fifth on Oregon’s career assists list.
After struggling to start the season, Chapdelaine ran Oregon’s offense efficiently Saturday night in its 81-73 win against visiting Washington at McArthur Court.
Beating the Pacific-10 Conference’s third-place team was a welcome follow-up to Thursday’s uninspired performance against Washington State. The second straight win for Oregon (12-6 overall, 3-5 Pac-10) also restored needed confidence after its two losses in Arizona last week.
Playing before a crowd of 4,352, Oregon center Gabrielle Richards made her return, playing 23 minutes after seeing just two minutes two nights before against Washington State.
Richards complemented Carolyn Ganes and Jessie Shetters down low as Oregon’s posts created numerous open looks for the Ducks’ perimeter players.
They took advantage as Chapdelaine made five three-pointers, Chelsea Wagner four and Brandi Davis three.
Chapdelaine closed her career night with a shot along the left baseline.
She drew the foul, and somehow her shot fell in.
The referee didn’t count Chapdelaine’s shot, but it was that kind of a night, where both teams combined for 24 three-pointers. Chapdelaine surpassed her previous high of nine points from last season and guided Oregon’s offense with one turnover in 34 minutes.
“I feel really happy for Kaela because she has had a lot of pressure put on her as a sophomore point guard to come in here and run this team,” Oregon coach Bev Smith said.
Washington (13-5, 6-3) led 43-40 with seconds remaining in the first half before Cameo Hicks hit a three-pointer to give Washington a 46-40 halftime lead.
With both offenses thriving, Oregon’s defense began the second half decisively.
“In the first half both teams were shooting the ball well, but we gave them too many open threes,” Oregon forward Kedzie Gunderson said. “Coming out in the second half, we wanted to challenge their shooters and tighten up defensively, and we were able to do it.”
Oregon used a 17-3 run to open the second half for a 57-49 lead eight minutes into the second half.
Then Washington’s shooters turned cold. Shots that swished in the first half missed or fell short from Oregon’s defensive pressure. Defensive stops transitioned to Oregon’s offense where Richard’s return from illness couldn’t be underestimated.
She scored 13 points and grabbed two of her seven rebounds on the offensive end. When Richards didn’t have space to operate, she swung it to Oregon’s shooters, who caught the ball in rhythm for open shots.
“(Richards) draws a lot of attention and can find our shooters,” Smith said.
Ganes made her second consecutive start with Richards coming off the bench, and scored eight points with four rebounds. Wagner scored 13 and Gunderson added 11.
Hicks scored 16 points on 5-of-14 shooting for Washington. Andrea Plouffe and Jill Bell each scored 13 points for the Huskies.
Washington led 16-11 to start the game on consecutive three-pointers by guard Kristen O’Neill from the right wing. Washington stretched its lead to seven, 27-20, on Cheri Craddock’s free-throw jumper.
Then Wagner got hot.
Richards took a charge and Wagner made consecutive three-pointers to bring Oregon within four, 30-26. Both teams traded baskets until Oregon’s second-half lockdown.
“I was fired up at halftime because I thought we were letting an opportunity slip by us,” Smith said. “And the team responded with what I think was our best 20 minutes of the year.”
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