Things are getting worse, not better, for Oregon women’s basketball.
The Ducks dropped their 24th game of the year Sunday, losing to No. 4 Stanford 74-50 at Maples Pavilion. For the Cardinal, it was the 17th straight win in what has been one of the most lopsided rivalries in Pac-12 women’s basketball.
“There’s a history here,” Oregon head coach Paul Westhead said. “I only know the history of us against Stanford. I don’t know how Stanford deals with others. But they get off to the best starts. So if that’s their pattern, we sure let them set that pattern.”
Stanford is 47-8 all-time against Oregon. This most recent win came courtesy a big effort from Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford’s 6-foot-4 junior forward who dropped 27 points and tallied a program-record 24 boards. The double-double was her 52nd of her career, another school record. The Cardinal continues to pummel the Pac-12, too, maintaining their tie with Cal atop the conference standings.
For Oregon (4-24, 2-14 Pac-12), it was just another loss in a season full of them. Since a two-point win over Washington State on Jan. 25, the Ducks have lost eight games by an average 22.6 points.
Freshman Jillian Alleyne continued shining as the team’s brightest star, posting a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Her 12.3 rebounds per game are sixth best in country. Freshman guard Devyn Galland added 10, and junior Liz Brenner chipped in with eight.
“In the first half, Chiney had really good defense, and my shots were getting deflected a lot,” Alleyne said. “I just knew I had to come out and try to do something different because I’d been in that position before. So I just came out, I did my quick moves and did what I had to do to help my team the best way I can. It was probably more a mental thing.”
Turning point. Oregon’s chances dried up almost from the opening tip. Stanford scored the first seven points and extended its lead to 23-6 before the first half was halfway over.
On the horizon. Just two games left for Oregon — a home stand against No. 20 Colorado on March 1 and Utah on the third.