Kelly Graves and the Oregon women’s basketball team stayed to chit-chat with every last fan on Saturday.
And despite a recent surgery that limited his mobility, Graves took plenty of “selfies” with fans and supporters of the program—at least a dozen, he approximated—who were more than ecstatic to finally have the opportunity to meet him and his staff.
Saturday’s second scrimmage at Matthew Knight Arena featured Ducks against Ducks. With just under three weeks until the season opener against Utah St. on Nov. 14, Oregon’s new look is beginning to take shape.
The green team topped the yellow squad, prevailing 51-26. According to unofficial stats, junior Lexi Petersen led all scorers with 19 points, while senior Katelyn Loper had 16. Junior Jillian Alleyne recorded five rebounds and two points.
“I’m happy that it turned out like it did,” senior Katelyn Loper said. “Coach said there might be two people, ten people, or a crowd full of people, so we didn’t really know what to expect, but we are happy to show our hard work.
“We’ve been working really hard and to have people come out—just for a scrimmage—was really awesome.”
For the yellow team, freshmen Lexi Bando finished with 14 points and Tatum Neubert tallied seven.
“I think toward the end, we seemed to catch a little bit of rhythm,” Graves said. “I think part of that was because we were a little tired defensively and so you start getting more open looks… They’re still thinking, instead of just playing and reacting…”
Loper—who made four of seven from beyond the arc—said that she is feeling good about the upcoming season, particularly when the offense begins to flow.
“I like how coach Kelly is truly on me about shot selection and what’s a good shot and what is not and holding me accountable,” Loper said.
Just after the contest, Graves addressed the crowd—thanking them for their support—and pointed out a season-ticket holder: “He’s wearing his Gonzaga shirt—we’ve got to get you some new gear.”
“I think any time you do things like this in public, the more experiences you have like this, helps,” Graves said. “The tendency is to play faster than you should. And we did. We played a little too fast at times, but with each time we play in front of people and organized like this, we get better.”
Notes:
Graves confirmed that fifth-year Gonzaga transfer Danielle Walters did not join the program this summer. Her transfer was announced on June 5 by the athletic department. She was set to enroll in graduate school at UO.
“She is not,” Graves said. “We thought that she was going to give it a go. She’s already graduated and I think her heart really wasn’t in it. She was only here about a week. I love Danielle—she’s a great kid, and she just said, ‘Coach, it’s just not for me.’”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne