EUGENE, Ore. — A wave of pink flooded the stands and court at Matthew Knight Arena as Oregon women’s basketball faced the Illinois Fighting Illini during its Stomp Out Cancer game. Wearing pink-and-white jerseys, the Ducks also celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day, featuring an all-women broadcast crew. Oregon entered the matchup on a three-game winning streak following a 68–61 victory over Maryland last Saturday, and extended that streak with a 76–73 win over Illinois.
The game began with Katie Fiso scoring the first points on a layup. Following her basket, the Ducks jumped out to a seven-point lead before Illinois got on the board with a layup of its own.
Oregon maintained its offensive momentum in the first quarter, as Avery Cain knocked down a 3-pointer within her first minute in the game. While Illinois struggled from the field, Oregon shot efficiently, missing just three of its 14 attempts and closing the first quarter with a 23–14 lead.
Illinois opened the second quarter with a layup, but Fiso answered once again by scoring the Ducks’ first points of the period. Despite Illinois’ attempts to cut into the deficit, Oregon continued to control both ends of the floor. The Ducks went on a 13–1 run, forcing Illinois to call a timeout with three minutes remaining in the half.
Oregon added seven more points in the closing minutes of the second quarter, finishing with a last-minute turnaround jumper from Fiso. The Ducks entered halftime with a commanding 45–24 lead.
The Ducks struggled to find their rhythm to start the second half, calling an early timeout as Illinois scored the opening points of the third quarter. Illinois freshman guard Destiny Jackson led the comeback effort, scoring eight points in the quarter and recording a steal. The Illini went on a 19-point run and tied the game at 49–49.
With seconds remaining in the third quarter, Mia Jacobs was fouled and converted both free throws to give Oregon a brief two-point lead. However, Jackson was fouled on the ensuing possession and made both of her shots from the charity stripe as well, ending the quarter tied at 51–51.
The Ducks scored just six points in the third quarter.
“Perhaps one of the worst third quarters, maybe ever, in terms of poise and defensive intensity, or lack thereof,” head coach Graves said of the struggles afterward. “We just kind of panicked a little bit, and that’s something we’ve got to keep working on.”
The fourth quarter featured back-and-forth scoring, with neither team gaining more than a 10-point advantage. After an Oregon timeout, Sofia Bell sparked the Ducks by hitting a fast-break 3-pointer, igniting the crowd as Oregon pulled within one.
“She brings such knowledge and energy,” Jacobs said of Bell. “She does a lot of the little things that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.”
Moments later, Jacobs drilled a 3-pointer with 1:20 remaining to give Oregon a two-point lead. The teams continued to trade baskets until Fiso drove to the hoop and made a layup with eight seconds left. Illinois used its final timeout to set up one last possession.
“When I’m driving downhill and see a lane, I commit,” Fiso said. “I trusted myself, and the work paid off.”
Illinois had one final chance to tie the game, but Ari Long came up with a steal and passed the ball to Fiso, who was fouled with one second remaining. Fiso converted both free throws to seal the Ducks’ 76–73 victory.
Oregon hopes to extend its win streak against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday, February 8th, back at Matthew Knight Arena.