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Eugene, OR – The Oregon women played their final home game of the season, facing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Rutgers came into the game with a 2-14 Big Ten record, but it took the Ducks awhile to pull way for a 77-58 victory. Rutgers has no player remotely close to the size of the Ducks’ 6’8” center Phillipina Kyei. Kyei, a senior in her final home game, dominated in the paint and had one of the best games of her career, leading the way with 20 points and a career-high 25 rebounds. Deja Kelly led Oregon with 19 points while Payton Scott contributed 15 points, all in the second half.
The teams played a close first half with Rutgers leading 17-14 at the end of the first quarter. The Ducks took a 27-24 lead on a three-pointer by Kelly and went into the halftime break with a 34-26 lead after five quick points from Ari Long. Kyei had a first half double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Oregon held onto their lead at the close of the third quarter at 51-44 despite shooting only 2-of-14 on three-pointers. Kelly (12 second half points) and Payton Scott (15 second half points) picked up their scoring in the fourth quarter to help the Ducks pull away. The Ducks outscored Rutgers in the final quarter by a 26-14 margin. Oregon won despite shooting on 3-of-16 on 3’s. They outrebounded Rutgers 45-34.
Oregon (19-9, 10-7) will finish the regular season on the road, facing Washington next Sunday afternoon (March 2nd) as they try to improve their seeding in the Big Ten Tournament which starts on March 5th. The Ducks finished the home season with a 15-3 record.
This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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