University of Oregon
8-4
Saint Mary's
9-4
Ducks Cold In Loss To Saint Mary?s
12/21/11 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon's perfect record inside the confines of Matthew Knight Arena was blemished on Wednesday afternoon as the Ducks suffered a 72-62 loss to Saint Mary's.
The Duck offense shot a season-low 24.3 percent (18-of-74) from the floor, knocking down just seven field goals in the second half as UO endured its first loss of the year at Matt Arena. Oregon set season lows for points (62) and field goals made (18) in the loss to the Gaels (9-4).
Saint Mary's was led by Jasmine Smith's game-high 35 points. The senior scored 19 points before missing her first shot of the game at the first half's 13:37 mark. In addition to her 35 points, Smith's seven three-pointers were also a new UO opponent season high.
The Gaels held a 51-40 advantage in rebounding and outscored the Ducks 26-14 in the paint.
Deannna Weaver scored 14 points to lead Oregon, while Jasmin Hollliday reached double figures for the 11th time this season pouring in 12 points and a game-high tying nine rebounds. Ariel Thomas added 10 points, while Nia Jackson dished a team-leading five assists and added a game-high four steals.
Saint Mary's led by as many as 13 in the second half, but the Ducks closed within seven, 65-58, with 1:23 to play until Jackie Nared drained a three-pointer to put the game out of reach.
Nared was the only other Gael to reach double figures with 10 points, while Alex Carbonel totaled a game-high eight assists and nine rebounds.
The Gaels shot just 24.0 percent (6-of-25) from the floor in the second period and turned the ball over 21 times in the game, but Oregon could not take advantage. Oregon also attempted a season-high 38 three-pointers, just two shots off the UO single-game record.
Smith propelled Saint Mary's to a 44-34 halftime lead thanks to 23 points in the first period. Her 23-point total was the most Oregon has allowed an opponent to score in a single half this year as Smith shot 9-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-8 from three-point range.
The Gaels shot 53.1 percent from the floor in the first half but turned the ball over 10 times. Oregon couldn't take advantage of those turnovers, shooting just 27.5 percent (11-of-40) from the floor while getting outrebounded 27-17. The Ducks took 21 three-point attempts in the first half – the most UO has taken in a half this year, making only six.
SMC jumped out to an 8-0 lead, but the Ducks quickly evened the score by the 17:35 mark. After tying the score, Saint Mary's used a 16-4 run to establish a double-digit 24-12 lead with 14:38 remaining. The Gaels would lead by as many as 13 in the first half, and
Oregon cut it as close as 37-33 with 5:25 to play on a Jordan Loera three-pointer, but the Gaels ended the half on a 7-1 run.
The Ducks end the non-conference portion of their schedule with a record of 8-4. Oregon will return to the floor and begin Pac-12 Conference play at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 29 hosting Washington State at Matthew Knight Arena.
PROMOTIONS
Washington State, Dec. 29 – Jerry's 2-For-1
Pick up a coupon at your local Jerry's Home Improvement Center and receive two tickets for the price of one.
Washington, Dec. 31 – Drop the Ball with Paul
Visit your local Bi-Mart, Carl's Jr., or Oregon Community Credit Union to pick up a coupon for $5 off reserved tickets. Also, the Oregon women's basketball team will be signing autographs after the game.
Notes: Oregon suffered its first loss to Saint Mary's in the seven-game series…Oregon also suffered its first loss at Matt Arena since March 5, 2011 vs. Arizona…the Ducks 62 points were a new season low, and its lowest total since scoring 60 points at Stanford on Feb. 26, 2011…Jasmin Holliday lost her first tip of the year…Jasmine Smith's (SMC) 23 first-half points were the most an opponent has scored against the Ducks in a half this season. She scored 19 points and did not miss her first shot until the 13:37 mark of the first half…Smith's seven three-pointers and 35 points were both season highs for a UO opponent this year, and also new Matthew Knight Arena records…Jasmin Holliday scored in double figures for the 11th time this season…Oregon shot a season-high 38 three-point attempts, two short of tying Oregon's single-game record…Oregon's .850 free-throw percentage (17-20) was a season best…Oregon's 62 points, 18 made field goals, .243 (18-74) field goal percentage and 11 turnovers were all season lows.
