by Steve Mims
EUGENE, OREGON — Here is a recap of the most recent Oregon Athletics. This will be our last sports update until 2023. Have a wonderful holiday and happy new year!
OREGON WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Oregon Women’s Basketball 2022, Photos by Highlite Agency
Oregon moved up to No. 16 in the AP Top 25 after blowout home victories over Eastern Washington and College of Charleston last Friday.
Freshman Grace VanSlooten had 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead Oregon to a 88-38 win over EWU. Phillipina Kyei added 11 points, 18 rebounds and five assists while Endyia Rogers had 11 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Ahlise Hurst also scored 11 points while Taya Hanson and Chance Gray scored 10 apiece.
Three-days later, Te-Hina Paopao, Rogers and Hurst all scored 15 points to pace the Ducks to a 97-33 win over Charleston. VanSlooten pitched in 13 points and Gray scored 10 as the Ducks improved to 9-1.
Oregon split two games against ranked opponents at the San Diego Invitational this week.
After defeating No. 17 Arkansas 85-78 on Tuesday, the 16th-ranked Ducks lost 84-67 against No. 3 Ohio State on Wednesday.
Oregon opened the tournament by rallying in the fourth quarter for a victory over Arkansas.
The Razorbacks, who entered the game at 13-0, led 59-55 entering the fourth quarter and stretched the lead to seven points before the Ducks tied it 67-67 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Paopao. Gray added a 3-pointer that put Oregon ahead 70-69 and the Ducks never trailed again.
VanSlooten had 26 points to pace the Ducks while Rogers added 20 points and six assists. Paopao scored 12 points and Kyei grabbed 14 rebounds.
VanSlooten had 29 points and nine rebounds in the loss to the Buckeyes. Paopao added 17 points and four assists while Kyei had 10 rebounds.
Taylor Mikesell, who played at Oregon two years ago before transferring to Ohio State, scored 25 against her former team.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Oregon stretched its winning streak to three games in a row on Sunday with home victories over UC Riverside and Portland.
Transfer Brennan Rigsby scored 19 points to pace the Ducks to a 71-65 win over Riverside. N’Faly Dante added 14 points while Will Richardson had 13 points and five assists. Rivaldo Soares aded 12 points and six rebounds in the victory.
Soares led the way with 16 points in a 78-56 win over Portland. Rigsby addd 14 points and six rebounds while Richardson had 12 points and 12 assists.
Oregon suffered a stunning 77-72 loss to Utah Valley on Tuesday night at Matthew Knight Arena.
The Ducks fell behind 41-24 at halftime on Tuesdeay and rallied to within three points in the final minute, before falling to 7-6 on the season. Oregon shot 35.3% from the field, including 3-of-19 on 3-pointers.
Richardson led the way with 26 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals for Oregon. Dante added 17 points and 15 rebounds while Quincy Guerrier had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Oregon is off for Christmas break before resuming Pac-12 play against Oregon State on Dec. 31 at MKA.
Steve Mims has spent 25 years as a sportswriter, including 21 years at The Register-Guard. He covered University of Oregon athletics from 2013-2020. He works in Eugene as a registered representative and insurance agent at PBC Insurance. He can be reached at smims@pbcins.com.