Playing against a scrappy Arkansas basketball team (2-1), Oregon’s Kedzie Gunderson and Cicely Oaks played large roles in the Ducks (4-1) 70-59 win Friday at McArthur Court before a crowd of 3,536.
The stat sheet reflected the pair’s effort, with Gunderson’s career-high-tying 13 points and six rebounds and Oaks’ eight points and five rebounds.
“When you’re not able to help your team in other ways, just go in and mix it up,” Oregon coach Bev Smith said.
Entering Friday’s action, Oregon had several objectives, including rebounding. Oregon outrebounded Arkansas 50-30 and more importantly, held the Razorbacks to 12 offensive rebounds – a sore area this season.
“They can rebound, and they will rebound, and that’s the way we need to come out and focus on that part of the game,” Smith said.
Defense has been an Oregon strength and was again against Arkansas, holding the Razorbacks to 30.8 percent overall and 28.6 on three-pointers. For the season, Oregon is holding its opponents to 29.3 percent from the field and 19 percent from three-point range.
Freshman point guard Tamika Nurse has also emerged as a reliable option at point guard. Nurse went from not playing against
Temple to playing eight minutes against Nevada. She then played 22 effective minutes in Oregon’s 63-36 win at Portland and contributed a short but helpful five minutes Friday with several strong drives.
Friday’s win included a rough start with Arkansas leading 11-2 early on three three-pointers and a two free throws.
Oregon came back by utilizing the inside presence of Gabrielle Richards, who finished with 18 points. Richards scored all of Oregon’s first eight points to pull Oregon within 13-8.
Gunderson received clearance to play just before the game. She sustained a concussion Tuesday and missed practice Thursday.
“You can’t let those things affect you,” Gunderson said. “You just kind of go out there and play, and let the adrenaline kick in, and forget about it.”
Gunderson and Oaks hit matching pairs of free throws to bring Oregon within three, 22-19. Oaks later hit the go-ahead three-pointer to lead 27-25 as Oregon held a 33-30 halftime advantage.
Oregon appeared to solve Arkansas with an 18-4 run to begin the second half. Consecutive Oregon intentional fouls amounted to an Arkansas run of 20-6 to pull within 57-54.
Gunderson then went inside and found Richards for a layup. On Oregon’s next possession, a double-teamed Richards found Chelsea Wagner open for a three-pointer and a 62-54 lead.
“We made some huge errors and Oregon capitalized on that,” Arkansas coach Susie Gardner said.
With the win, Oregon improved to 3-1 at home, with one loss to No. 19 Temple.
“We want to defend Mac Court all the time,” Gunderson said.
“We got in there, dug deep and made some really key shots.”
Oregon has a quick turnaround with a home game tonight against Drake University at 7 p.m.

[email protected]