Ducks Win Civil War Rematch, 54-45

Saturday, January 28

Eugene, Ore.

1 p.m.

University of Oregon

Oregon State

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

01/28/06 | Women's Basketball

By: GoDucks.com

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) ? Gabrielle Richards recorded 13 points and 18 rebounds to lead Oregon past Oregon State 54-45 Saturday at McArthur Court in the second game in three days between the two teams.

Chelsea Wagner added 11 points for the Ducks (13-7 overall 4-6 Pac-10), who beat the Beavers at home for the fifth straight season and 14th time in 15 games, and Brandi Davis scored all nine of her points in the second half to help preserve the win.

“We were disappointed after Wednesday," Richards siad. "It was a tough loss, but we bounced back. We needed to defend Mac Court. We came out ready to hustle.”

Richards recorded 14 of her rebounds in the first half, as Oregon took advantage of Oregon State's (9-9, 3-7) slow start to lead 26-12 at the break.

“It was a very nice change," said Oregon head coach Bev Smith. "I think, obviously, we made some adjustments. Oregon State does some interesting things. We did a much better job tonight of limiting their shots. But the best thing was our rebounding.”

A 14-0 run that started with a three-point play by Wagner at the 8:26 mark of the opening half put the Ducks up 22-7 with 4:55 to play. Richards scored six points during that run, while the Beavers were in the midst of an 0-8 shooting stretch.

“This is the first game of the second half [of the season]," Smith said. "It's good to have a win under our belt.”

Oregon State finally got going offensively midway through the second half, using an 11-4 run to get within 34-29 with 6:39 to play. Despite making only one more field goal the rest of the way, the Ducks kept their separation by going 15-for-16 from the free-throw line in the final 6:19.

Oregon State could never overcome its first-half performance when it shot just 14 percent from the field (4-for-28) and was outrebounded 32-12.

Kim Butler, the Beavers' leading scorer coming in at 17.5 points per game, was held to 14 points overall on 6-of-14 shooting. She was held scoreless in the first half when she went 0-for-3 in only five minutes of playing time after picking up three fouls.

Mandy Close, whose layup with 3.4 second left gave the Beavers a 63-61 win against the Ducks in Corvallis on Wednesday, scored 12 points on 5-of-20 shooting.

The Ducks won't have long to celebrate as they hit the road next week for key conference games against Stanford and Cal.

“We won't be satisfied until we get to the tournament," said Davis. "The Pac-10 is so unpredictable, we just look forward to going out and playing.”

QUACK TRACKS: SR G/F Kedzie Gunderson had a career-high nine rebounds ... SO C Gabrielle Richards established a new career mark in rebounds for the second straight game ... Richards' double-double was the third of her career ... Oregon State's 12 first-half points tied for the second fewest by a Ducks' opponent in a half ... UO held the Beavers scoreless for the first 6:47 of the first half ... The two teams began the game a combined 0-for-17 from the field.