Oregon WBB recap: Ducks grow up with a big win over Spartans
The Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team had No. 8 North Carolina on the ropes, but they couldn’t close out the deal.
They closed the game this time.
Oregon defeated Michigan State 86-78 to grab third place in the PK Invitational in Portland Sunday morning. The Ducks showed why they will be a dangerous team to prepare for once the Pac-12 schedule comes into play.
Phillipina Kyei dominated on the inside with a career-high 15 points and 16 rebounds and Endyia Rogers led Oregon with 19 points on 5-of-8 from downtown.
The freshman Grace VanSlooten added 12 points and seven boards as Oregon shot nearly 54 percent from the field.
It was a nice win for the athletic department as a whole as the men’s basketball team has yet to win in the PK 85 and the football team lost in Corvallis yesterday. Oregon needed a win, any win, and Kelly Graves’ team got the job done Sunday morning.
Final Score: No. 18 Oregon 86, Michigan State 78
Andy Nelson for The Register-Guard
Keys to the game
Photo by Ethan Landa
It may have been an early 10 am start in Portland, but the Ducks were wide awake from the get-go. They shot 69 percent from the field in the first half and had a 17-point lead at on point over the previously 6-1 Michigan State team.
Phillipina Kyei is really becoming a dominating inside post player that opponents are going to have a tough time matching up against. The Spartans, like most teams Oregon will play, had no answer for her. Kyei was credited with just two blocks, but she altered countless others.
Endyia Rogers bounced back nicely after a rough second half on Thursday. She was charged with seven turnovers against the Tar Heels, but Rogers was more careful with the ball today with just three miscues to go with her 19 points.
Once the Spartans’ rally was complete and they tied the game in the fourth quarter, the Ducks didn’t panic. They came back with an 11-2 run thanks to threes from Rogers and Ahlise Hurst.
It's on the stat sheet
© Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Endyia Rogers: 19 points, 6-12 FG, 5-8 3-pt FG
Phillipina Kyei: 15 points, 16 rebounds
Te-Hina Paopao: 14 points, 6 assists
Grace VanSlooten: 12 points, 7 rebounds
Kamaria McDaniel (Mich St.): 28 points, 12-22 FG, 7 assists
What's next?
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Ducks will have nearly a week off before hosting the Portland Pilots at Matthew Knight Arena Dec. 3 for a 2 pm tip on the Pac-12 Network.
