by Steve Mims
EUGENE, OREGON
Oregon moved into the Sweet 16 of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament with wins over North Dakota State and Rice.
Te-Hina Paopao made six 3-pointers en route to 24 points while Endyia Rogers had a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 96-57 win over North Dakota State. Chance Gray had 16 points and Grace VanSlooten added 12 points and eight rebounds.
Three nights later, Rogers had 19 points and seven rebounds to pace the Ducks to a 78-53 win over Rice. Paopao and VanSlooten each added 17 points while Phillipina Kyei had nine points and 15 rebounds.
The Ducks stay home to face San Diego on Thursday at Matthew Knight Arena.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Ducks finished the season at 21-15 following a 61-58 loss in the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament on Tuesday at MKA.
Keeshawn Barthelemy led the Ducks with 15 points while Quincy Guerrier had 14 points and eight rebounds. The Ducks led in the final few minutes before the Badgers pulled away for victory.
The Ducks opened the NIT with wins over UC Irvine and Central Florida before facing Wisconsin in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Oregon avenged an earlier loss this season to UC Irvine with a 84-58 win over the Anteaters. Rivaldo Soares had 21 points and 10 rebounds while Nate Bittle added 17 points for the Ducks. Tyrone Williams had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Ducks followed up with a 68-54 win over UCF as Bittle led the way with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Guerrier added 16 points while Kel’el Ware scored 11.
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.