Ducks Secure Hard-Fought Victory Over Purdue, Eye NCAA Tournament Berth
The Ducks bounced back from a tough road trip opener with a gritty 71-65 win over Purdue, securing their 20th victory of the season and strengthening their NCAA Tournament hopes.
Despite missing second-leading scorer Mia Jacobs for the second straight game, the Ducks showcased a balanced attack. Katie Fiso and Ehis Etute led the charge with a combined 36 points, but it was the supporting cast that made the difference. Four other players contributed eight points each, highlighting the team's depth.
Head coach Kelly Graves praised the team's effort, emphasizing the importance of ball movement and shared responsibility on offense. "We're at our best when we're sharing the ball," Graves noted. "Tonight, we weren't just relying on two or three players."
Sofia Bell's trio of first-half three-pointers helped build a double-digit halftime lead. Meanwhile, Ari Long, Astera Tuhina, and Sarah Rambus stepped up late, each adding crucial points in the fourth quarter.
The real story, however, was the Ducks' defensive prowess. They forced Purdue into 21 turnovers, with 16 coming from steals. Graves highlighted the team's defensive intensity, saying, "We decided right from the start to get back into our signature press, disrupting their rhythm and creating easy scoring opportunities."
Ari Long was a defensive standout, with five steals contributing to the team's 27 first-half disruptions. "She set the tone for us," Graves said, praising her relentless effort.
The Ducks came out strong from the first possession, with Fiso opening the scoring in a 9-0 run. Although Purdue fought back, Oregon regained control in the second quarter, doubling up the Boilermakers 22-11 and setting the stage for a potential blowout. However, the Ducks had to fend off a late Purdue rally, sealing the win at the free-throw line.
With this victory, Oregon has now achieved 20-win seasons in nine of Kelly Graves' 12 years at the helm, including the COVID-19 shortened season. "That's been a benchmark for our program," Graves remarked.
Looking ahead, the Ducks will host the rival Huskies on Senior Day for their regular season finale. They'll then prepare for the Big Ten Tournament, with their opening round status still to be determined by upcoming results.