Devils unable to keep up with Ducks
EUGENE, Ore. – Sabrina Ionescu scored 19 points to lead five Oregon players in double figures as the third-ranked Ducks cruised to a 79-48 victory over No. 19 Arizona State on Sunday.
Entering the game as the nation’s highest-scoring team with an average of 86.2 points per game, Oregon (22-2, 11-1 Pac-12) had only 27 points in the first half before erupting for 30 in the third quarter and 22 in the final period of its 10th consecutive victory, dating back to a 72-66 loss to the Sun Devils last month.
ASU couldn’t keep pace with the Ducks, finishing with a season low for points while shooting 40% from the field and committing 18 turnovers. Oregon shot 49% from the field, including 61% in the second half.
Ionescu was 6 of 9 from the field and had five assists and five rebounds. Erin Boley and Jaz Shelley each had 14 points and four 3-pointers, and Ruthy Hebard and Satou Sabally each scored 11 points. Sabally also had 10 rebounds.
Ja’tavia Tapley and Eboni Walker each had eight points to lead the Sun Devils (16-8, 6-6).
Oregon led 10-2 after the first quarter, and the score befitted the offensive play. Neither team scored in the first four minutes, and the Sun Devils missed nine of their 10 shots and had five turnovers in their lowest-scoring quarter of the season. The Ducks forged their lead on 4 of 13 shooting, with four turnovers.
ASU’s scoring drought extended into the second quarter, but after 10 minutes without a point, Jamie Ruden hit a short jumper and the Sun Devils were within 15-4. Oregon led 27-15 heading into halftime, behind Ionescu’s 13 points on 4of-5 shooting, including all three of her 3-point attempts, while her teammates were 6 of 22. ASU was 5 of 21 from the field in its lowest-scoring half of the season and had nine turnovers.
The Ducks made five consecutive field-goal attempts early in the third quarter as their lead grew to 42-19. The outcome might have been decided, but it didn’t quell the emotions of the two teams as three technical fouls were assessed in the final three minutes of the quarter. The first went to Oregon coach Kelly Graves before offsetting ones were called on Ionescu and Arizona State senior Robbi Ryan after they engaged in a verbal spat.
Big picture: The Sun Devils have lost four of their past five games, all to top-20 opponents. They play only one ranked opponent the rest of the regular season.
Up Next: The Sun Devils are home on Friday to play Washington State.