WNIT: Alleyne Has Record Breaking Night in Loss to Washington, 92-83
WNIT logo at Matthew Knight Arena before Oregon took on Pacific on March 20th 2014. KPNWSports
Oregon took to the court in the Second Round of the WNIT on Monday night against a team they saw twice during the regular season in the Washington Huskies. The season series between Pac-12 foes was split 1-1. It was a slow start for Paul Westhead and Company. Five minutes into the game Oregon had yet to hit a three point shot, but Sophomore Jillian Alleyne broke through a milestone becoming just the fifth player in NCAA History to reach 500 rebounds in a season. The Ducks would begin to spread it around with scoring coming from everyone.
Midway through the first half Jillian Alleyne and Chrishae Rowe led all scorers with six points, followed by Ariel Thomas, Lexi Petersen and Katelyn Loper with five each. With 3:14 left in the first half Oregon had two players in double figures and were shooting well at 49 percent compared to Washington at 33 percent. At the half both teams had two players in double figures. For the Ducks Katelyn Loper and Ariel Thomas led with 11 points each, followed by Jillian Alleyne with 9 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
Oregon and Washington started the second half as Jillian Alleyne picked up her 29th double double of the season setting a new Pac-12 Conference record to go with her earlier accomplishment. The Huskies started a 12-0 run that would give them the lead with 13 minutes to go but the Ducks would fight back with a three point shot from Ariel Thomas. Washington was very efficient in the final ten minutes of the game but Oregon kept on fighting. With 3:51 to go the Ducks were down 76-69. In the final minutes it came down to who wanted it more and the Ducks decided too late in the game. The Huskies put the game away with free throws in the final minute and a half and will move in in the WNIT.
Oregon finishes a decent season at 16-16. In the game five players scored in double figures for Paul Westhead’s final game as Ducks coach. Jillian Alleyne had 17 points along with 25 rebounds. Chrishae Rowe(17), Katelyn Loper(14), and Lexi Petersen(13). The scoring leader for Oregon was Ariel Thomas with 24.