Oregon women's basketball just notched its signature win of the season - and it came in emphatic fashion on the road. Behind a career-high 26 points from forward Ehis Etute, the Ducks stunned No. 16 Maryland with a 68-61 victory on Saturday afternoon, delivering a fourth-quarter performance that flipped the game on its head.
Let’s break it down: Oregon trailed by four with just over six minutes left, and that’s when the fireworks started. Etute and freshman guard Sofia Bell took over, combining for 19 points in the final frame as the Ducks outscored Maryland 24-11 down the stretch. Bell, in particular, caught fire from deep - drilling three clutch three-pointers during an 11-0 Oregon run that turned a 54-50 deficit into a 61-54 lead with under three minutes to play.
Maryland made a late push, cutting the lead to two with 27 seconds remaining, but Oregon's defense stood tall. The Ducks locked in, closed out possessions, and iced the game - a gritty finish to a statement win.
What This Win Means for Oregon
This is Oregon’s second win over a ranked opponent this season, and arguably their most impressive. The Ducks (17-7, 5-6 Pac-12) had already taken down then-No.
21 USC back on January 6, but that win has lost some shine as the Trojans have tumbled out of the rankings. This one, though?
It came against a Maryland squad that’s been a mainstay in the national conversation, even if the Terrapins have hit a rough patch.
Speaking of Maryland, the loss marks their fourth straight and fifth in their last six games. It’s been a tough stretch for the Terps (17-6, 5-6 Big Ten), especially with four of those losses coming against ranked opponents. The schedule hasn’t done them any favors, but Saturday’s result will sting - particularly the way it unraveled in the fourth quarter.
Star of the Day: Ehis Etute
Etute was everywhere. She dropped 26 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting clip, and she didn’t stop there.
The sophomore forward also pulled down 11 rebounds, swiped three steals, and dished out three assists - a complete performance on both ends of the floor. Her energy and physicality were a tone-setter for Oregon, especially in the second half.
Sofia Bell’s Big-Time Buckets
Bell finished with 16 points, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc - and those threes came at the most critical moments. While the rest of the Ducks struggled from deep (3-of-15 as a team), Bell’s shooting gave Oregon the jolt it needed to swing momentum late.
For a freshman to step up like that, on the road, against a ranked team? That’s the kind of moment that can define a young player’s season.
Maryland’s Offense Falters Late
Oluchi Okananwa did everything she could to keep Maryland in it. The junior forward poured in 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, but she didn’t get much help. The rest of the Terps shot just 12-of-46 from the field (26%) and struggled to find rhythm all game, particularly from deep, where they finished just 2-of-15 (13.3%).
Despite a strong first half - Maryland shot 48% and dominated the paint with 24 points inside - the offense sputtered when it mattered most. Oregon’s defense tightened up, and the Terps couldn’t find a second scoring option to complement Okananwa.
Oregon Survives a Slow Start
The Ducks weren’t exactly firing on all cylinders early, shooting just 33.3% in the first half and managing 30 points. Key contributors Mia Jacobs and Katie Fiso combined to shoot just 3-of-15 before the break, and Oregon looked out of sync offensively. But they hung around, kept the game within reach, and then flipped the switch when it mattered most.
Jacobs and Fiso eventually found some footing, finishing with 14 combined points, but this game belonged to Etute and Bell.
What’s Next
Oregon returns home to host Illinois (15-6, 5-5 Big Ten) on Wednesday at 4 p.m. With momentum on their side and confidence riding high after a marquee road win, the Ducks will look to build on what could be a turning point in their season.
This one wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. Oregon showed resilience, poise, and the kind of late-game execution that separates good teams from great ones. If Etute and Bell can keep this up, the Ducks might just be heating up at the right time.