Oregon frosh vital in upset of Terps
Oregon’s young players say they feel excited and loose. They play that way, too.
Sabrina Ionescu scored 21 points, fellow freshman Ruthy Hebard had 16 and the 10thseeded Ducks continued their improbable run through the NCAA Tournament with a 77-63 victory over No. 3 Maryland on Saturday.
Oregon put five players in double figures on its way to the first regional final in program history. It will play No. 1 seed UConn on Monday.
“We’re just excited about everything,” Ionescu said. “None of our kids have experienced anything like this. So, I think we’re just excited to advance and be able play another day and see where that takes us.”
Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough each had 16 points for Maryland (32-3).
The Terps, who averaged more than 90 points a game to lead the nation, were held to their lowest point total this season. They turned the ball over 21 times, leading to 18 Oregon points.
“I just think it was just one of those days,” said guard Destiny Slocum, who finished with nine points and five turnovers. “We kind of lost our game, and I think, even though this was a low-scoring game, we were trying our best, doing anything we could do. I don’t think there’s really an answer for it.”
UConn 86, UCLA 71 B
bridgeport, conn.» Napheesa Collier had 27 points and 14 rebounds to help No. 1 UConn beat No. 4 UCLA, putting the Huskies in the Bridgeport Regional final.
The victory was the 110th straight for the Huskies, who will face 10th-seeded Oregon on Monday night.
South Carolina 100, Quinnipiac 58 B
stockton, calif.» Kaela Davis, A’ja Wilson and No. 1 seed South Carolina overpowered NCAA Tournament surprise Quinnipiac from the opening tip, scoring the first 16 points and advancing to the Stockton Regional final by beating the 12th-seeded Bobcats.
Florida State 66, Oregon State 53 B
stockton, calif.» Ivey Slaughter had a career-high nine steals to help Florida State discover its best defense, and the third-seeded Seminoles erased a deficit and ran into the Stockton Regional final with a win over second-seeded Oregon State.