The Oregon Ducks improved to a 4-3 record in conference play with their win over the Purdue Boilermakers and they did so in dominant fashion.
Behind double-digit performances by senior center Phillipina Kyei and transfer guard Deja Kelly, the Ducks defeated the Boilermakers 69-53, holding Purdue to just 23 points in the first half and just 30 points in the second.
Duck Dub at Home 🦆#B1GWBBall x @OregonWBB pic.twitter.com/ffLjrqSK18
— Big Ten Women's Basketball (@B1Gwbball) January 16, 2025
Peyton Scott joined Kyei and Kelly in double-digit scoring with 12 points of her own alongside 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Nearly every single Duck earned minutes in the game as the bench players combined for an impressive 22 points during the Big Ten matchup.
Despite Oregon's 16-point victory over Purdue, head coach Kelly Graves immediately had notes for his team on where the Ducks could improve, saying it wasn't their "prettiest win" of the season.
"This was a really good second quarter," Graves said. "Kind of flipped the tables a little bit. It was a good effort overall... We've been doing a nice job."
Graves pointed to turnovers being the key to Oregon's victory – the Ducks forced 23 turnovers while committing just 11 of their own – despite his team not being the most aggressive or "athletic" defensive unit.
Kyei and Kelly also spoke to the media after the game and discussed everything from their shooting prowess in the matchup to how good it felt to get the win at home in Matthew Knight Arena. With the victory, the Ducks' record improved to 13-5 overall.
"Mid-range is what I do, it's literally like a layup for me," Kelly said. "Taking what they were giving me and they were giving me the pull-up, once I realized that, I was just knocking 'em down."
Kyei reflected on her growth throughout her time with the Ducks and shared that she had was starting to feel like herself again after returning from injury at the start of the season.
The Ducks will host the Iowa Hawkeyes for their next Big Ten matchup on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. PT, the game will be broadcast on B1G+.