Eugene, OR – A new season started for the Oregon women’s basketball season today after their national championship possibilities last season was thwarted by COVID-19. The Ducks welcomed a host of new players. Their 2020 recruiting class was rated tops in the nation with five highly rated recruits, guards Te-Hina Paopao, Maggie Scherr and Sydney Parrish along with forwards Kylee Watson and Angela Dugalic. Transfers Sedona Prince, 6-7 from Texas, and Taylor Mikesell, 5-11 from Maryland, will play key roles. Nyara Sabally, Satou’s 6-5 sister from Germany, will also see her initial college action after sitting out last year with a knee injury.
Seattle University came to Eugene for a non-conference clash this afternoon. The Redhawks unsurprisingly did not figure to put up much of a fight. That was true as the Ducks raced out to 39 first quarter points and a 25-point lead. They then concentrated on running their offense and getting everyone on the roster plenty of minutes as they coasted to a 116-51 win. Mikesell led the Ducks with 28 points, connecting on 8-of-10 three-pointers. Lydia Giomi, a 6-6 senior, added a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Prince and Sabally both looked good in their first action in over two years. Prince contributed 17 points (8-of-11 FG) and six rebounds while Sabally added 10 points and six rebounds. 5-10 junior Taylor Chavez also scored in double-figures with 11 points. Paopao (5 points, 7 assists) and fellow frosh Scherr (9 points, 4 rebounds) shared point guard duties and both looked good. McKenzi Williams, a 5-5 guard, led Seattle (0-2) with 20 points.
Oregon extended their lead to 71-25 at the half with Mikesell, one of the top three-point shooters in the nation last year for Maryland, connecting on 7-of-8 3s for 21 first half points. Giomi added 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting. Prince was active and scored nine points with three rebounds and the 5-9 Paopao started at the point and dished out six assists. All 13 of Oregon’s players received some playing time in the half.
The second half offered more of the same as the Ducks continued their onslaught. The led 94-41 after three quarters and continued to work on their offensive sets in the final quarter. Oregon outrebounded the smaller Redhawks 58-28 and outscored them in the paint 52-22. The Ducks shot 53% from the field while Seattle made only 29% of their shots.
Oregon will play Monday at Portland before starting their conference schedule next Friday night at home against Colorado.
This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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