Ruthy Hebard, Sabrina Ionescu Send Oregon Ducks To Elite 8
The Oregon Ducks found early momentum with Ruthy Hebard inside to get to their second Elite 8 in two seasons.
Head Coach Kelly Graves knew his team could be in for a three-point shootout with Central Michigan. The Chippewas were playing with house money just as the Oregon Ducks did last season. Both teams were pushing for the Elite 8, but early on it was clear that Central Michigan could not stop Oregon Sophomore Ruthy Hebard who was close to a double double before halftime.
Hebard finished the game with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 blocks. The Oregon Defense held Central Michigan to 7 for 27 from three-point range hitting just 26 percent. Oregon jumped out to an early lead at 24-12 after the first quarter, winning each quarter of the game with the exception of the 4th Quarter.
Sabrina Ionescu joined Hebard with a double-double. Hebard had hers with points and rebounds Ionescu finished her second of three NCAA Tournament games by way of points and assists. The Oregon Ducks bench played a key role again.
Oti Gildon led the bench that scored a combined 15 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks in the game. The reserves all gained valuable experience in the NCAA Tournament as they have all season.
The Oregon Ducks move on to their second straight Elite 8. Last season they met Uconn. This time around they face #1 Seed Notre Dame who slipped past Texas A&M on Saturday 90-84 with two players, Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey combining for 52 points to lead the second half comeback over the Aggies.
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Oregon and Notre Dame meet with the Final Four on the line Monday at 6 pm Pacific Time on ESPN.