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Final Four: Despite Loss vs Baylor, Oregon Ducks Show They Belong

By Justin Phillips

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the Oregon Ducks drives to the basket against the Baylor Lady Bears during the first half in the semifinals of the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four at Amalie Arena on April 05, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the Oregon Ducks drives to the basket against the Baylor Lady Bears during the first half in the semifinals of the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four at Amalie Arena on April 05, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Oregon Ducks played with Baylor for 39 minutes on Friday night, falling in the end 72-67.

In a season that started with a homecoming for Ruthy Hebard to the final minute against Baylor in the Women’s Final Four, it was a season that will not be forgotten anytime soon for Oregon Fans.

Sabrina Ionescu had a rough start but found a way to battle back in the second quarter. She finished with 18 points leading three Ducks in double figures. The game played similar to the game last weekend against Mississippi State. Oregon pulled ahead early for an 11-4 lead, but the Bears came right back. There were 12 lead changes in the game and the final minute of the game saw Baylor get past a screen off the Ducks Defense and score, putting Baylor ahead enough to pull out the win over Oregon.

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The game was physical on both sides. Ruthy Hebard had to contend with Lauren Cox and Kalani Brown on Defense. Cox had three blocks and Hebard battled for just four points in the game. Both teams had 12 turnovers and when Oregon needed a key basket both Erin Boley and Sabrina Ionescu were there to step up. The Ducks hit a stretch in the final minutes hitting just 1 of 13 from the floor putting an end to some momentum and allowing the Baylor Bears to find a way to earn the win.

The Oregon Ducks will say goodbye to some experience in both Oti Gildon and Maite Cazorla who will both graduate. Hard to believe that the first season Cazorla was in Eugene, the average attendance was nowhere near the close to sellout games the Oregon Ducks have seen recently. It shows how far this program has come and will continue to grow into the future.

Now, some decisions will be made. What will Sabrina Ionescu decide for next season? She does not have much time to decide with the WNBA Draft on Wednesday. If she does return to Oregon for her Senior Season, the Ducks will be in a great place to make another run next season.

The Oregon Ducks close out the 2018-19 season at 33-5 going 19-1 at Mathew Knight Arena.