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This broke the previous record of 21 consecutive wins in 1978-79. The UO women also won at home for the 20th consecutive game, breaking a record set in 2000.
The bulk of these winning streaks were led by people like Ruthy hebard, Sabrina Ionescu and Satou sabally, but the Ducks have continued to go through three games this season on a new roster.
“Love the trajectory so far”, the head coach Kelly Graves said. “I think we got better with every game. And I hope that will continue.”
How did it happen: Redshirt freshman position Nyara sabally announced from the start that Friday was his day. Younger sister of second pick in WNBA draft Satou sabally opened the scoring for Oregon, then hit a three-runner on the very next possession. Sabally made a free throw to cap an 8-0 run that gave the Ducks a 13-7 lead, and the season’s first bucket by Jaz shelley went 20-10, before Colorado scored the final two points of the first quarter.
After Shelley’s basket, the Ducks went at 5:59 without scoring and 6:42 until their next basket. But Oregon managed to defend itself on the defensive end, getting five straight saves before the Ducks finally hit their next basket, a pull-up transitioning through Sydney parrish. It was the first of five baskets made by the Ducks, including one by Taylor mikesell, two by Sabally and finally a three points of Erin Boley for a 32-24 lead. Oregon took a 34-26 halftime lead, at which point Sabally already had 12 points.
“I thought it would take a little while for me to acclimatize,” said Sabally, who has missed each of the previous two seasons with knee injuries. “Because I’ve been on the sidelines for two years, I saw the game and I know the teams are really, really good. I was really happy to play the way I know I can play.”
Boley hit three more to open the second half, then Sabally showed his versatility. Starting with a basket that put Oregon ahead 44-30, Sabally had a period of 69 seconds in which she had two runs, two rebounds, one assist, one blocked shot and one steal. With the Ducks in front of 47-32, first year guard Te-Hina Paopao got hot at long range, hitting three runs on three straight possessions to make it 56-32. Oregon led 60-39 at the start of the last period.
Graves gave his freshmen space to develop in the opening minutes of fourth, playing Shelley with the freshman Ducks Parrish, Maddie scherr, Kylee watson and Angela Dugalic. Dugalic and Watson each scored during this stretch, before Graves reinstated their five starters – including the post Prince of Sedona, who had his ankle taped after falling in the third quarter. As the Ducks wrapped up their victory, Sabally completed his first career double-double.
Who stood out: Sabally made his first career start and had a 9 for 9 shot for 20 points, with 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots on a steal. She even made her only attempt at three points of the game.
Boley was 4 of 8 from long distance to finish with 17 points, plus six rebounds. Paopao added 13 points and led the Ducks with four assists and two interceptions.
“I think I needed a couple of games under my belt just to feel (comfortable with) the rhythm, the tempo,” said Paopao. “Today the team needed it, and I needed it. I feel comfortable.”
What this means: The Ducks kicked off their efforts to win a fourth straight Pac-12 title, and Oregon opened a 3-0 season for the sixth straight year.
Notable: Paopao, Mikesell, Boley and Prince started all three games and training was completed by a different player in all three. … Graves said Mikesell was at the center of Colorado’s defensive effort, averaging 19.5 points in the first two games. Mikesell made 2 of 3 shots against the Buffs, and her attention opened up more space for teammates like Sabally and Paopao. … Colorado stayed close in the first half thanks in large part to 10 second chance points. The Ducks reduced that number to four for the Buffs in the second half. … The Ducks and Colorado hosted a pre-game solidarity moment, and Oregon wore shooting shirts calling attention to social justice initiatives.
Next: The Ducks host Utah on Sunday (11 a.m., Pac-12 network).
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