Eugene, OR – The No. 3-rated Oregon women returned to action this afternoon in their final non-conference game as they faced the 5-4 Kansas State Wildcats in front of 10,706 fans. Kansas State figured to give the Ducks more of a game than their three most recent opponents where Oregon won all by a combined 118 points.
The Wildcats started strongly and held an 18-16 lead early in the second quarter. Oregon then turned it on, helped by back-to-back 3s from Erin Boley, went on a 16-2 run and ultimately finished the afternoon with an 89-51 win. Sabrina Ionescu led Oregon with yet another triple double, ending the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. She sat out the fourth quarter. Boley helped with 18 points, hitting 4-of-5 three-pointers. Satou Sabally returned to action after sitting out the prior game and scored 14 points while grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Payton Williams was the most effective Kansas State player leading the visitors with 20 points and eight rebounds. Ayoka Lee added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Kansas State has two solid post players as each came into the contest averaging a double-double. The 6-4 senior Williams (14.1 ppg, 13.1 rpg) and 6-5 redshirt freshman Lee (16.1 ppg, 11.1 rpg) figured to give some trouble for Oregon’s 6-4 All-American center Ruthy Hebard. Hebard (7 points, 7 rebounds) was held to two first half points as the Ducks took a 38-27 lead into the break. Boley led all scorers with 16 first half points, connecting on all four of her three-point attempts. Williams led the Wildcats with 15 points and five rebounds as the team battled evenly on the boards with 20 rebounds each.
The Ducks came out strong after halftime and helped by four Ionescu buckets, ran out on a 18-8 run to take a 21-point lead halfway into the quarter. The game was never in doubt after that. Ionescu registered her NCAA record 21st triple-double grabbing her tenth rebound late in the third quarter. She promptly knocked down a jumper to give the Ducks a 29-point lead. Oregon led 69-41 after the third quarter. The Ducks were able play their bench extensively in the fourth quarter.
Oregon (10-1) plays an exhibition game against Corban University on December 28th. They start Pac-12 play at home against Colorado on January 3rd. Kansas State heads home to play the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley on December 28th.
This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.
