Oregon Ducks Soar Past Virginia Tech in NCAA Tournament Opener
In Austin, Texas, the Oregon Ducks showcased their prowess in a thrilling NCAA Tournament opener, defeating Virginia Tech 70-60. The Ducks, seeded eighth, were propelled by a stellar performance from Katie Fiso, who dropped 22 points. The game took a decisive turn in the third quarter, where Oregon unleashed an 18-0 run that left the Hokies reeling.
Ehis Etute was a force on both ends, contributing 11 points and 11 rebounds. This dynamic duo helped Oregon advance to the tournament's second round for the second straight year, setting up a Sunday showdown with top-seeded Texas.
Coach Kelly Graves praised his team's ability to maintain and build on their lead, highlighting their defensive discipline. “Defensively we were on point,” Graves remarked, emphasizing the importance of timely turnovers during their crucial run.
Mia Jacobs added 13 points to the Ducks' tally, while Carys Baker led Virginia Tech with 21 points. The Hokies struggled offensively, shooting below 30% in the first three quarters, which proved costly.
Oregon came out firing, hitting nine of their first 11 shots to take a commanding 22-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. Virginia Tech's struggles were compounded when leading scorer Carleigh Wenzel was benched due to early foul trouble.
Despite a rally that brought them within three points, the Hokies couldn't sustain their momentum. A crucial 3-pointer by Jacobs helped Oregon maintain their edge heading into halftime.
The third quarter belonged to the Ducks, with Etute scoring seven points during their explosive run. Fiso's step-back 3-pointer added to the highlight reel as Oregon extended their lead to 22.
Virginia Tech's Mackenzie Nelson reflected on their missed opportunities, acknowledging the team's inability to counter Oregon's runs. Wenzel, who averages over 15 points per game, was held to just nine on a tough shooting night.
Coach Megan Duffy noted the game mirrored their season's ups and downs, as the Hokies, a Final Four team in 2023, missed last year's tournament.
In a dramatic moment, Jacobs took a hard fall while diving for a loose ball. Despite the scare, she returned to the game, determined to finish strong. “I’m a tough cookie,” Jacobs quipped, displaying her resilience.
Next up, the Ducks face a formidable Texas team, who recently dominated Missouri State, extending their home winning streak to 43 games. Oregon will need to bring their A-game to continue their tournament journey.