PORTLAND – The Oregon women’s basketball team (3-1) used consistent offense to overwhelm a young Portland team (0-3) 63-36 Tuesday night at the Chiles Center.
The win also helped erase bad memories of previous losses to Portland, including a 76-58 set back in 2003-04.
“That was very embarrassing and we did not want to leave here (like that),” Oregon’s Chelsea Wagner said.
Oregon used a team-high 14 points from Wagner and 12 from Eleanor Haring to cap a team-wide effort.
Ahead 36-22 early in the second half, Oregon used its bench often and outscored Portland’s subs 30-7.
“We are extremely deep,” Wagner said. “There is no drop-off.”
No Oregon team member played more than Haring’s 23 minutes and every player scored.
Freshman point guard Tamika Nurse played 22 minutes. The quick guard scored two points and passed for four assists with only two turnovers.
The steady hands of Wagner and Brandi Davis helped Oregon jump out to an early lead. Because of players such as Oregon’s 6-foot-3 Gabrielle Richards, Portland used a zone defense to try to control
Oregon’s size. While Portland held Richards to four points on one-for-three shooting, it allowed Oregon’s perimeter players to thrive.
Wagner hit two early three pointers for a 10-5 lead. Oregon extended its lead to 21-12 with a Richards three-point play and consecutive left corner three-pointers from Davis.
Oregon led 31-19 at halftime and Portland was only able to close within 10 points in the second half.
Wagner’s play did not show effects from a minor knee injury sustained in Oregon’s second exhibition game. She had another strong game after scoring 21 points Sunday against Nevada. Oregon coach Bev Smith said Wagner has more movement in her knee and teammates are finding her.
“She’s doing a better job of moving and our players are doing a better job of finding her either on penetration or when our post players are doubled,” Smith said.
As a team, Oregon made 8 of 21 three-pointers.
“We can always get that three-pointer so let’s try to exploit the inside,” Smith said.
Haring helped the inside game with a variety of mid-range shots. She had two jumpers off spin moves early in the first half and added two more right before halftime.
“(Haring) really gave us a positive and a productive night,” Smith said. “I thought she ran the floor well. I thought she put herself in position to make plays.”
Oregon’s offensive success came with another strong effort on defense. The Ducks forced 22 Portland turnovers and scored 13 points off the miscues. Portland shot 27 percent from the field and 21 percent from three-point range.
“I was happy with the defense,” Smith said. “We just, again, have to keep working to move offensively and (on) decision making.”
With two consecutive wins, Oregon is focused on getting better.
“We are just trying to improve and focus on what we didn’t do well in the game, and then correct that the next game and try (to) build on that,” Wagner said.
Oregon returns home to play Arkansas at McArthur Court Friday at 5 p.m.

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