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Oregon Women’s Basketball: Ducks Find Win at Washington State

By Justin Phillips

CORVALLIS, OREGON - DECEMBER 13: The Oregon Ducks starting five (L-R) Nyara Sabally #1, Taylor Chavez #3, Taylor Mikesell #11 , Erin Boley #21 and Te-Hina Paopao #12 of the Oregon Ducks huddle prior to a game against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on December 13, 2020 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OREGON - DECEMBER 13: The Oregon Ducks starting five (L-R) Nyara Sabally #1, Taylor Chavez #3, Taylor Mikesell #11 , Erin Boley #21 and Te-Hina Paopao #12 of the Oregon Ducks huddle prior to a game against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on December 13, 2020 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /
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It was a game that Washington State was ready to play, but in the end Oregon found a way to remain undefeated winning 69-65 over the Cougars.

For a young Oregon Women’s Basketball team this game was a good test. A road win against a tough opponent. Despite not being ranked, Washington State and Oregon both entered the game undefeated. The Cougars were able to put together a halftime lead on Oregon and led a good part of the way through the 4th Quarter before the Ducks came through with some key baskets.

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Oregon led for less than 7 minutes of the game. Jazz Shelley and Erin Boley helped key the win in the final minutes by hitting back to back three pointers. The Ducks finished strong hitting their final three shots of the game.

Nyara Sabally had a big game, especially with rebounds. She finished with 19 points inside the paint and 14 rebounds. Oregon hit 11 three-pointers, led by Boley who was 5 for 5 for the game. The Ducks out-rebounded Washington State 37 to 33, and found a way to win despite losing the turnover battle. Oregon committed 16 to WSU who had 11 turnovers. The game also featured 10 lead changes.

If there was an early gut check for the Oregon Ducks for the Pac-12 season, this game may have been it, but in the end they were able to overcome their own mistakes to find a win in what should have been a loss.

Head Coach Kelly Graves called the game an eye opening and humbling experience. He said it was good for his team to go through the ups and downs of this type of game. I agree. If Oregon is able to keep the winning streak going, which now sits at 8 games, they will face bigger challenges this season.

Stanford and UCLA are two teams that are ranked that will pose big tests this season.

The Ducks host the next to Pac-12 games with USC and UCLA coming to Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon will see the Trojans first on New Year’s Day before hosting the Bruins on January 3rd. Game times for both games have not yet been announced.