The Oregon women’s basketball team hosts Southern Oregon at McArthur court in its final exhibition game at 7 p.m.
The Ducks are off to a great start after gliding through their first exhibition game, 100-43, over Horsholm BBC last weekend.
Oregon held nothing back and jumped to a 20-0 lead to start the first half. Horsholm’s first basket didn’t come until the 14:37 mark, but by that time it was too late.
Junior forward Cathrine Kraayeveld picked up a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds on the night, and senior All-America guard Shaquala Williams went 7-of-12 from the field for a team-high 20 points.
Oregon will look to have the same dominance again, but overall, the Ducks are just enjoying the opportunity to compete.
“Anytime we can play another team with another uniform, regardless of who it is, they are excited, because it is a measuring stick to see where we’re at,” Oregon head coach Bev Smith said. “Southern Oregon is going to be a good opponent for us. They play an up-tempo game. They press, they trap and they look to run, and that’s what we’re trying to do, so it will be a good game for us.”
Even in an exhibition game, Oregon takes nothing lightly.
“You have to go into every game knowing you have to play hard and not worry about the other team,” Kraayeveld said.
All 12 Oregon players saw time last weekend and the Ducks say they are liking the way they look as a team right now.
It is early in the season for Oregon, but not too early for the Ducks to be dreaming of the postseason. Oregon dominated in winning the WNIT tournament last season but want to see the NCAA tournament this time around.
“The important part of the season right now is what we improve every day,” Williams said. “We are learning from our mistakes the day before, and our exhibition game is a tremendous opportunity for us to be able to show that to people.”