Ducks Storm Back to Beat Oklahoma
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas – Down by 10 with just over seven minutes remaining in the game, No. 9 Oregon mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally to top Oklahoma, 98-93, in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis Saturday.
A host of Ducks delivered big plays down the stretch, led by Nyara Sabally, who finished with a career-high 30 points including 20 after halftime. Oregon outscored Oklahoma 38-26 in the fourth quarter and iced the game with some clutch free throws in the final minute.
"Honestly, I'm just glad we survived that," said head coach Kelly Graves. "We played well down the stretch – especially offensively – and made some plays. Nyara down the stretch really put us on her back and made what seemed like every play."
The shorthanded Ducks (3-0) played with just nine players suited up as preseason All-Pac-12 guards Te-Hina Paopao and Endyia Rogers remained out with injuries. Oregon is also playing without freshman guard Taylor Bigby and forward Taylor Hosendove.
How it Happened: After Oklahoma (3-1) hit a three-pointer to go up 78-68 with 7:10 remaining, Oregon answered by going on a 10-0 run to tie things up at 78 with 4:44 left. The two teams traded buckets over the next few minutes before the Ducks again used a quick spurt to reclaim the lead.
Chanaya Pinto tied the game at 84 with a three-pointer before the Sooners hit a pair of free throws to go back in front. The Ducks got the next two buckets to go in front for good, as Sabally and Ahlise Hurst both got good looks inside to make it 88-86 with 1:28 left. After getting a big stop on the defensive end, the Ducks hit a number of clutch free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
Oregon into an early hole, as turnovers proved costly for the Ducks in the opening quarter.
They committed eight in the first 10 minutes to fall behind 23-17 after one.
The Ducks responded out of the quarter break with a 7-0 run to jump ahead, 24-23 at the 7:29 mark, but the Sooners answered with a run of their own to make it 31-24 and were up 44-35 at the break. Oregon started the second half on a run, tying it up on two occasions in the third before the Sooners closed the quarter on a 13-6 run to make it 67-60 heading to the fourth.
Who Stood Out: Sabally posted her fifth career double-double with a career-high 30 points while adding 11 rebounds. She became the first Duck to turn in a 30-point game since March 7, 2020 when Sabrina Ionescu did it against Arizona. Sabally is also the first Oregon player to score 30 points and grab 10 rebounds in a game since Ruthy Hebard vs. UCLA on Feb. 14, 2020. Sydney Parrish hit some key three-pointers and free throws down the stretch and matched a career-high with 18 points while grabbing six rebounds. Sedona Prince recorded her first career double-double, scoring 11 points while grabbing 11 boards, and Pinto reached double figures for the second straight game with 10 points.
Up Next: The Ducks continue play at the Battle 4 Atlantis Sunday at 11:30 a.m. PT against No. 1 South Carolina.