University of Oregon
Washington State
Duck Women Dump Cougars, 74-52
02/12/04 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. ? In a shooting display not seen since November, the University of Oregon women's basketball team raced past Washington State 74-52 before 3,388 fans Thursday at McArthur Court.
Freshman forward Eleanor Haring led four Ducks in double-figures with a career-high 16 points as Oregon shot above 50 percent from the field (51.7) for the first time since Nov. 29.
“We got out of the gate and we were strong, and playing hard, and we hit our game plan to a ?T' in the first four minutes,” Oregon coach Bev Smith said. “I think tonight we finally put away a team when they needed to be put away and it's been a long time coming.”
Oregon improved to 12-11 and 4-9 in the Pac-10 while Washington State fell to 5-18, 1-13.
The Ducks jumped out to a 9-0 lead just over three minutes into the game and eventually stretched it to 26-13 after a Carolyn Ganes basket with 9:33 left. Oregon turned it up another notch in the second half, going on an 18-2 run ? sparked by four consecutive field goals by Haring ? in the first seven-plus minutes to lead 54-28.
Haring hit 8-of-12 from the floor and had four steals. It was her seventh straight double-digit scoring game.
“I was feeling good tonight,” Haring said. “Mostly because our team pulled together and we got the simple things done. We were just having a good time out there. (My teammates) were just doing a really good job of finding me. I was just happy to be in the right spots in the right times.”
Kedzie Gunderson also had the best game of the season, tying career highs in points (13) and rebounds (seven) to go with three assists.
“(Kedzie) did a great job,” said Smith, who is 7-0 against the Cougars. “She stayed on her heels. We told her to stay aggressive and she knows her strengths. She played so well defensively and offensively tonight.”
Junior center Andrea Bills notched her fourth double-double of the year with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Brandi Davis was Oregon's other double-figure scorer with 13 on 5-of-8 shooting.
“We had 19 assists for 31 baskets,” Smith said. “That's where we're at when we're at our best. I felt good defensively. We were able to use those rebounds for offensive rhythm. Shooters were ready to shoot. Our players were ready to play and we do so well when we do that.”
Oregon eclipsed the 70-point mark for the first time since the N.C. State game Nov. 29 ? a string of 17 games.
Freshman forward Kate Benz led the Cougars with a game-high 17 points and nine rebounds. Jessica Perry added 11 while Nikki Stratton had 10. Washington State made 9-of-21 from 3-point range.
Oregon next plays host Saturday to Washington (13-10, 6-8), which lost to Oregon State, 62-59, Thursday. The Ducks and Huskies tip off at 2 p.m. in a game nationally televised on Fox Sports Net. Fans are encouraged to wear yellow.
- www.GoDucks.com -
