Reward for Oregon? Matchup against UConn

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — 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 10th-seeded Ducks continued their improbable run through the NCAA Tournament with a 77-63 victory over Maryland on Saturday.

Oregon (23-13) put five players in double figures on its way to the first regional final in program history. It will play No. 1 seed Connecticut in the regional final Monday with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

“We’re just excited about everything,” Ionescu said. “None of our kids has 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 the third-seeded Terrapins (32-3).

Maryland, which averaged more than 90 points a game to lead the nation, was held to its lowest point total this season. The Terps turned the ball over 21 times, leading to 18 points by the Ducks.

“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 lowscoring game, we were trying our best, doing anything we could do. I don’t think there’s really an answer for it.”

CONNECTICUT 86, UCLA 71

Napheesa Collier had 27 points and 14 rebounds to help the Huskies beat the Bruins and put Connecticut in the Bridgeport Regional final.

The victory was the 110th in a row for the No. 1 Huskies, who will face 10th-seeded Oregon on Monday night.

Fourth-seeded UCLA jumped out a 9-2 lead over UConn (35-0) before the Huskies scored 17 of the next 19 points. The seven-point deficit matched the Huskies’ largest this season.

UConn led by nine points after one quarter and 17 at the half.

The victory tied Geno Auriemma with Pat Summitt for most NCAA Tournament victories. The two Hall of Fame coaches each have 112 Tournament victories.

Jordin Canada had 20 points and 11 assists for UCLA (25-9).

Jessica Hill / Associated Press Oregon freshman Sabrina Ionescu, center, puts her shoulder into Maryland’s Brionna Jones as Ionescu drives to the basket in the second half Saturday.