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Oregon Women’s Basketball: Ducks Find Defense in Win Over South Dakota

By Justin Phillips

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 22: Erin Boley #21 of the Oregon Ducks splits defenders Liv Korngable #2 and Hannah Sjerven #34 of the South Dakota Coyotes during the second half in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on March 22, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 22: Erin Boley #21 of the Oregon Ducks splits defenders Liv Korngable #2 and Hannah Sjerven #34 of the South Dakota Coyotes during the second half in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on March 22, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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The Oregon Women’s Basketball team was ready against South Dakota, using a stifling defensive effort in the first half on their way to a 67-47 win.

Erin Boley used her postseason experience leading the Ducks charge with 22 points. She shot 9 of 13 from the floor and 4 of 6 from three-point range. Boley led three players in double figures. Nyara Sabally finished with 17 and Sedona Prine had 12. The game was pretty much over before it began.

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Four seasons ago, a young Oregon team entered the NCAA Tournament against South Dakota and lost in the opening game. The outcome was different on Monday. The story was the Oregon Defense. As a team, the Ducks had 30 defensive rebounds, 15 assists, 11 steals, and 6 blocks. Oregon also had 23 turnovers in the game.  South Dakota had 14 turnovers but struggled to find their offense.

In the first 20 minutes, the Coyotes scored a total of 9 points and were outscored 34-9 in the period. Oregon held South Dakota to a single point in the 2nd Quarter. The Ducks also had an impressive 19-0 run in the opening half putting the game mostly out of reach.

Oregon was a different team in 2020. They lost a good deal of their scoring from the last three seasons. One of their top recruits Te-Hina Pao Pao, who led the way for Oregon this season in several key categories is out with an undisclosed injury. Head Coach Kelly Graves has said she is still several weeks from returning, which may keep her out of the NCAA Tournament altogether.

If Erin Boley continues to find her shot and experienced players like Sedona Prince and Taylor Mikesell can find the basket, this Oregon team may not miss much of a beat after finishing the regular season losing six of their final eight games.

Oregon will be tested in the Round of 32 facing Georgia on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for Noon Pacific Time on ESPN2.