There’s no love lost between the Ducks and the Beavers.
For eight years, Oregon State could not figure out the Ducks at McArthur Court.
Until recently.
Oregon State’s 61-53 win at Mac Court in January ended an 11-game Oregon winning streak in the series, and the first time since 1993 the Beavers won in Eugene.
That’s what will be weighing on the Ducks’ mind when they visit Gill Coliseum Saturday at 1 p.m.
“Revenge, if anything,” junior Shaquala Williams said of her motivation. “They came and beat us on our home court and broke that streak, and the way they celebrated and acted definitely got under our skin. It’s payback and revenge.”
In a game that was anything but civil, the Ducks (13-11 overall, 8-7 Pacific-10 Conference) had their chances but weren’t able to convert. The team shot just 27 percent from the field, its worst performance of the season.
“I think that even one more solid screen or offensive rebound would have made a difference that game,” Oregon head coach Bev Smith said. “I just think it was out there for the taking, and when push came to shove, they just shoved a bit more and that was the difference.
“It’s going to be a game of wills and whoever wants it most will win it again.”
After their win, the Beavers (12-12, 9-6) celebrated with sparkling cider, invoking feelings of a championship celebration. They celebrated on the Oregon “O” at center court, and after the game, were visibly stirred.
For the first time in their seniors’ careers, the Beavers had beaten the Ducks. Oregon State senior center Ericka Cook was so emotional, tears streaked down her cheek at the post-game press conference.
This got Oregon’s attention.
“I feel like you should have a certain amount of class when you beat a team, and you should shake their hands and then celebrate after that,” Williams said. “If we win, we’ll be happy, but I don’t think we’ll act as they did.”
For the Ducks to win this time, most believe the team needs to play Oregon basketball. Intensity will be key, especially on the road where the fans can be inhospitable.
“This game is going to be more intense than the first one,” Williams said. “As long as it ends in good sportsmanship when the game is over, I’ll be happy with it.”
Gill Coliseum may be no different than Mac Court for the Ducks, except for the orange and black on the floor and triangular-shaped roof. With only 50 miles separating the two schools, the Ducks expect to have a rabid fan base.
The distance “benefits us because we usually have more fans than they do,” Williams said. “I don’t really get caught up in where we play, as long as we have enough Duck fans to support us.”
Oregon has only two more games after Saturday, and with the inaugural Pac-10 Tournament coming closer, momentum is becoming increasingly important.
“We’ve really got to play well in these next three games and the Pac-10 Tournament as well if want to make it to the NCAA Tournament,” sophomore Cathrine Kraayeveld said. “We’ve got to play each team as they come.”
E-mail sports reporter Hank Hager
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