SEATTLE ? The University of Oregon women's basketball team appeared poised to sweep its season series with rival Washington, but an incredible late run by the Huskies propelled the home side to a 61-55 Pac-10 win in front of 2,591 at Bank of America Arena.
“We are fortunate to have won it,” said UW head coach June Daugherty. “Hats off to Oregon for as well as they played.”
All things considered, Oregon indeed played very well despite missing its top two perimeter threats in senior guards Chelsea Wagner and Brandi Davis. Wagner missed the game with a concussion and Davis caught a flu bug on Thursday, did not practice and only saw the floor in the final minute with the Ducks desperate for a three-pointer.
The Ducks (14-11, 5-10 Pac-10) controlled the bulk of the contest, peaking at a 47-33 lead with 12:07 to play. But the Huskies (17-7, 10-5) mounted runs of 13-0 and 22-4 to take a 55-51 lead, receiving a combined 19 points from Jill Bell and Andrea Plouffe during the decisive spurt.
Bell finished with a career-high 18 points to go with a team-high 10 rebounds, and Plouffe scored 13, including nine in the second half.
Oregon sophomore center Gabrielle Richards had her fifth double-double of the season, posting game-highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Richards, who made 8-of-11 from the field, was the only Duck in double figures.
Junior forward Eleanor Haring had eight points. Four other Oregon players finished with five points apiece.
The Ducks took a 31-22 lead into the break after shooting 52 percent and holding the Huskies to 25 percent from the field. Oregon controlled the block, outscoring UW 20-4 on points in the paint.
Richards led all players with 12 points and six rebounds in the opening stanza.
Still looking for that elusive win on the road in Pac-10 play this season, the Ducks final opportunity will come Saturday at last-place Washington State.
“We've got one more chance and it's all or nothing,” Richards said. “We're going after it and we've got nothing to lose.”
QUACK TRACKS: SR G Chelsea Wagner's DNP was her second of the season and first since the season opener ... SO F/G Kristen Forristall's played a season-high 24 minutes and had five points, four rebounds and two assists ... The Ducks slipped down to the eighth position in the Pac-10 after Oregon State defeated WSU in other Thursday action.
