Ducks Stunned, Eliminated at Pac-10 Tournament

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The University of Oregon women's basketball team was upended by Arizona in the opening round of the 2006 State Farm Pac-10 Tournament, falling 64-57 in front of 3,173 at HP Pavilion.

The Ducks (14-15), seeded eighth, never led against the No. 9 Wildcats (7-21), who ended a nine-game losing streak with the upset win.

"Congratulations to Arizona," said Oregon head coach Bev Smith. "They stuck to their game plan and executed."

Joy Hollingsworth led UA and all scorers with 22 points. Oregon's Eleanor Haring had a season-high 20 points and Gabrielle Richards sparked a late UO surge, finishing with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season.

"It's disappointing to end the season," said senior guard Chelsea Wagner, who was shadowed throughout and limited to three points after torching the 'Cats for 24 in a UO win on Feb. 9. "I enjoyed my senior season - it's unfortunate that it had to end like this."

The Wildcats took an 11-point lead at 41-30 with 17:44 to play for their biggest lead of the game.

Oregon battled back, holding Arizona without a field goal form 11:47 to the 6:42 mark of the second half, narrowing a 46-37 deficit to four points at 48-44. The Ducks later closed to within two at 54-52 with 3:11 to play.

Richards, who was not a full strenghth due to a sore left Achilles, gutted out 24 minutes and scored 13 of her 15 points and had eight of her 14 boards in the second half.

With a 14-15 record, the Ducks are now ineligible for the WNIT.

University of Oregon Athletics

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Eleanor Haring

Chelsea Wagner

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