The score read 77-72 in favor of Stanford, but for the Oregon women, Thursday’s game may be something to file in the win column.
The Ducks (12-11 overall, 7-7 Pacific-10 Conference) desperately needed to play well against the No. 2 Cardinal. With four games left in the Pac-10 season, confidence is as important as ever.
“The way we played, I think we came out with a victory even though the scoreboard didn’t show that,” freshman center Andrea Bills said.
Oregon was not expected to hang tough with the Cardinal (23-1, 13-0), but matched Stanford almost point for point until the last three minutes of the game. With less than 13 minutes left in the second half, the Ducks even held a six-point lead.
The second-ranked Cardinal, however, proved to be too much in the end.
But if there was silver lining in a loss, the Ducks definitely found it.
“I thought we played with maximum effort, and that’s all you can ask of the team,” first-year head coach Bev Smith said. “I thought the effort was there, and I’m proud of the way the team responded.”
Stanford earned its first victory at McArthur Court since 1998, but had to do it in front of a harsh crowd. Despite the dismal weather conditions out of the Pit, 4,830 people showed up and made their presence known.
Stanford still has to come back to Eugene for the inaugural Pac-10 Tournament, and the Ducks know that.
“After this game, we’re thinking we can go out and compete with anybody,” Bills said.
However, the Ducks will need to play well in their final four conference games to move up to a higher seed for the tournament.
Currently, Oregon is ranked sixth in the conference, albeit by a thread. Arizona is tied with the Ducks, but has one less overall win.
Now the Ducks await California (6-16, 1-12), but are on shaky ground. Oregon has lost its last three games, and desperately need a win against the Golden Bears.
“Coming out and playing the way we did, we proved we can play with a team like (Stanford),” sophomore Cathrine Kraayeveld said. “Now we just have to bring that same confidence on Saturday.”
Said Smith: “There’s four games left and the tournament still, and we’ve got a statement to make.”
They’ll have to make that statement fast as the season is quickly coming to a close.
E-mail sports reporter Hank Hager
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