University of Oregon
Montana
Mizusawa Lifts No. 22 Ducks to 53-52 Win over Griz
12/12/03 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. ? Corrie Mizusawa's running 6-footer with 13 seconds left lifted the 22nd-ranked University of Oregon women's basketball team to a dramatic 53-52 win over Montana before a season-high crowd Friday of 4,502 at McArthur Court.
Montana (5-2) had two chances for the win, but Julie Deming's shot missed with four seconds remaining and Hollie Tyler's 2-foot putback went in and out to preserve the Ducks' victory.
Oregon improved to 7-1 on the season ? its best start since going 7-1 to begin the 1996-97 campaign.
"Tonight was a great win," Oregon coach Bev Smith said. "There were two skilled teams that played hard and played great defense. We were the best defensively that we have been. We'll take an ugly win. It's much better than a pretty loss."
Mizusawa finished with a team-best and season-high 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. She also had a team-high four assists and just one turnover in 37 minutes.
"I'm comfortable having the ball in my hands at the end of the game and with making the right decision for me and my team," said Mizusawa, who also had five rebounds. "I'm looking, as the point guard, to be a leader on the court, and make sure people play well."
Oregon junior post player Andrea Bills was a menace on the boards, pulling down a career-high 21, which is tied for the fifth-best in school history. It marked only the second time after 1983 that an Oregon player has had at least 20 rebounds in a game. The other time occurred last year as Cathrine Kraayeveld had 22 on the road against Montana.
"I was in good position, and I worked real hard, and I hope to continue that into other games," said Bills, who had her third double-double of her career with 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting. "If I'm having an off-night, I'm going to look for my teammates, and do the little things, like rebounding, to win."
Tyler finished with 21 points and 18 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who missed their first 15 shots of the second half and shot 30 percent for the game. Oregon didn't shoot much better at 33 percent, but held its opponent to less than 60 points for the sixth time this season.
The Ducks led by as many as 10 in the second half after a Kedzie Gunderson free throw to make it 45-35 at the 7:26 mark, but three baskets by Tyler helped the Griz climb back to a four-point deficit. Two free throws by Brooklynn Lorenzen put Montana up 52-51 with 23 seconds on the clock before Mizusawa's game-clincher.
Oregon freshman forward Eleanor Haring made her first start, scoring seven points and grabbing four rebounds in 21 minutes. Jessie Shetters, Oregon's other starting freshman, added a career-high eight points.
The Ducks next go on the road to take on Santa Clara on Tuesday at 7 p.m. They fly to the East Coast to play Thursday at George Washington at 4 p.m. PST.
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