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Pac-12 Tournament: Oregon Ducks Drop First Round Game To Arizona Wildcats, Await Postseason Fate

By Justin Phillips

Mar 23, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Kelly Graves reacts against the James Madison Dukes during the first half of a women
Mar 23, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Kelly Graves reacts against the James Madison Dukes during the first half of a women /
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The Oregon Ducks rallied, but fell to Arizona without their Star Player Jillian Alleyne on the floor in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament.

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The Oregon Women’s Basketball team had high hopes entering the Pac-12 Tournament looking for their first post season bid in the Kelly Graves era. In his second season the team has come together and reeled off 20 wins, including going undefeated in non-conference play to start the season. They found ways to win on the road and at home and finished the Pac-12 Regular season winning 10 of their last 13 games, then disaster struck last week.

Senior Jillian Alleyne was injured in practice and it was announced she would miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, ending a stellar career at the University of Oregon. Alleyne is not easy to replicate or replace. Since her departure Oregon has lost three straight games, including their opening game of the Pac-12 Tournament in Seattle on Thursday afternoon. The Ducks entered as the 6 seed, Arizona a 12 seed.

Oregon started well, but Arizona proved to hit three pointers in stride leaving the Oregon Ducks to play catchup. In the end, it was too much for the 20 win Oregon Ducks to overcome. The Wildcats hit 70 percent from beyond the arc and outscored Oregon 22-7 in the Second Quarter. Maite Cazorla did the best she could with 19 points and Lexi Petersen put in 23, but could not overcome the Arizona Wildcats. The regular season comes to an end now for Oregon, but a post season bid awaits on Monday. The question now is, where will Oregon go?

With 20 wins the Oregon Ducks could still land a bid in the NCAA Tournament if the Tournament Committee takes into account the team lost their star player and heart and soul. The other option is the WNIT. Regardless of where they play, this Oregon team deserves to go to the post season. If for nothing else, the Seniors on this team have been through more than most and 20 wins should be rewarded regardless of where or who they face. This team has worn their heart on their sleeve the last three games and deserve the opportunity.

Next: Oregon Ducks Take Pac-12 Title With Win Over UCLA

The NCAA Tournament selection show is set for Monday night at 6pm Pacific Time.