EUGENE, OREGON

DUCKS 87 - UTES 65

The No. 4 Oregon Ducks (20-1, 9-0) defeated the No. 14 Utah Utes (18-2, 7-2) to remain atop the PAC-12 standings. The Utes took the lead late in the third quarter, but the Ducks rallied in the fourth and finished with a 22-point victory.

Things got off to a great start for the Ducks as the Utes struggled with Oregon’s size and aggressive defense, but after the home team raced to a 22-11 opening quarter lead, Utah’s Megan Huff heated up - draining 5 triples and amassing 17 points in the first half.

This would end up being a huge game for Huff, who finished with a career-high 38 points and six triples. The senior was responsible for more than half of the Utes’ total points scored and kept them in this contest.

Ruthy Hebard had a slow first half after picking up a couple of fouls which presented an opportunity for Oti Gildon. Gildon finished with 10 points and scored Oregon’s final four points of the half, giving Oregon a 10 point lead at the half.

OREGON DUCKS

*Satou Sabally (28 min) 20 PTS - 6 REB - 2 AST - 1 STL - 6/9 FG - 2/3 3PT - 6/6 FT

*Maite Cazorla (38 min) 16 PTS - 1 REB - 7 AST - 3 STL - 5/10 FG - 2/7 3PT - 4/4 FT

*Ruthy Hebard (28 min) 16 PTS - 7 REB - 1 BLK - 8/10 FG - 0/1 FT

*Erin Boley (34 min) 14 PTS - 7 REB - 2 AST - 5/10 FG - 4/7 3PT

*Sabrina Ionescu (37 min) 11 PTS - 5 REB - 9 AST - 2 STL - 3/11 FG - 2/5 3PT - 3/4 FT

Oti Gildon (11 min) 10 PTS - 2 REB - 5/6 FG

Taylor Chavez (16 min) 1 AST - 3 STL - 0/4 FG - 0/2 3PT

Morgan Yaeger (4 min) 3 REB - 0/1 FG - 0/1 3PT

Lydia Giomi (4 min) 0/1 FG

UTAH STARTERS

Megan Huff (36 min) 38 PTS - 11 REB - 2 AST - 1 BLK - 2 STL - 13/25 FG - 6/9 3PT - 6/7 FT

Dru Gylten (38 min) 11 PTS - 3 REB - 1 AST - 1 STL - 4/11 FG - 3/5 3PT

Dre’Una Edwards (16 min) 9 PTS - 1 REB - 1 AST - 1 STL - 4/6 FG - 0/1 3PT - 1/2 FT

Kiana Moore (32 min) 7 PTS - 1 REB -5 AST - 1 STL - 2/9 FG - 1/7 3PT - 2/3 FT

Erika Bean (37 min) 5 REB - 9 AST- 1 STL - 0/1 FG

Oregon entered halftime with a 37-27 lead, but a ferocious third quarter from the Utes struck fear into the heart’s of the Duck fanatics. Huff scored 15 in the third and Dre’Una Edwards scored six in the paint, but also picked up a costly foul.

With 3:34 left in the third, Huff hit a triple to tie the game. Then, after Oregon attempted to pull away with a set of their own three-pointers from Erin Boley and Maite Cazorla, the Utes fought to a two-point lead thanks to the play of Edwards and Huff.

Luckily for Oregon, Satou Sabally wasn’t prepared to enter the fourth quarter trailing. The sensational sophomore drained a three to retake the lead with :42 seconds left, then wrapped up the quarter with an and-one to give the ducks some breathing room.

Sabally scored Oregon’s opening five points of the fourth and finished the night with 20 points. Sabrina Ionescu, who scored a mere two points in the game’s first three quarters, scored nine in the final quarter.

The Utes bookended the game with sloppy play and uncharacteristic turnovers. Edwards fouled out which gave Oregon an insurmountable advantage in the paint. Utah fouled often in the fourth and Oregon was able to score 12 points from the line.

A Boley triple with 1:32 left gave the Ducks a 20-point lead and marked an impressive quarter from this team. This game was incredibly important, seeing how the teams only meet once this year and are both PAC-12 champion contenders. Fortunately, Matt Knight Arena once again helped this team defend their reign as the best in the west.

GO DUCKS!

NEXT UP: COLORADO

2/3, Sunday, 12 PM, Oregon Live Stream, Eugene