Ruthy Hebard shoots over Michaela Onyenwere. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Los Angeles – No. 5 Oregon’s high-octane performances on both ends of the court made for easy containment of UCLA Sunday, 72-52.
Ruthy Hebard and Satou Sabally led the Ducks with double-doubles: 19 points from each, a career-high 18 rebounds for Hebard and 11 boards for Sabally. Sabrina Ionescu added 14 points and Maite Cazorla, 13. It was Oregon’s fifth straight win over UCLA, and the third consecutive loss for the hosts.
The Ducks roared out to an early lead, which they never relinquished, while holding the Bruins to 24 percent shooting in the first and final quarters. They inflated their advantage to as much as 28 points in the fourth period, outrebounded UCLA 47-29 and outscored them in the paint by 10 points. Oregon also had 25 second chance points to five for the Bruins.
Duck coach Kelly Graves commended his team for their energy buzzer to buzzer, and said he was impressed with their transition and rebounding game. But what stood out to him was their defensive efforts.
“Defense has been the area that we’ve lacked some tenacity and toughness, but when we had to do it today, we buckled down,” Graves said. “We’re so good offensively that sometimes we think it’s going to be just as easy on the defensive end, and it’s not – it’s hard work.”
Graves said it is a good sign continuing into Pac-12 play, where they are 4-0.
“That’s what we found out about ourselves on this road trip: you know what, we can defend when we really put our minds to it and really focus on the scout,” he said.
UCLA’s top scorer, Michaela Onyenwere, was held to just 13 points and five rebounds. Japreece Dean was the only one of her teammates to score in double figures, with 11 points.
“I don’t think we really ever got into an offensive rhythm tonight, where we were really getting the kinds of shots from the people we wanted,” Bruin coach Cori Close said. “They’re so efficient and they’re so long and they shoot it so deep.”
Oregon heads home to host the Arizona schools next weekend, and the Bruins also remain home to host the second meeting with rival USC.
Sabrina Ionescu drives to the rack. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu is defended by Michaela Onyenwere. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Satou Sabally is defended by Lajahna Drummer. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Oregon players try to run their set. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu swings the ball. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Ahlana Smith elevates to score. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu breaks through the defense. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Ruthy Hebard snares the rebound. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Michaela Onyenwere maintains ball possession. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Michaela Onyenwere rises to score. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu is helped to her feet. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Ruthy Hebard is defended by Lindsey Corsaro. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Lajahna Drummer. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Satou Sabally makes a move toward the basket. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Satou Sabally shoots and scores. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Lindsey Corsaro indicates ball possession to the Bruins. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Lajahna Drummer and Ruthy Hebard look for the rebound. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Ruthy Hebard is defended by Lauryn Miller. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Ruthy Hebard lays it up and in. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Satou Sabally pauses before making a move to the basket. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Ruthy Hebard. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Michaela Onyenwere. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Satou Sabally is pressed by Michaela Onyenwere. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu is defended by Kennedy Burke. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Lauryn Miller. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Japreece Dean. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Michaela Onyenwere inbounds the ball in front of the Oregon bench. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Maite Cazorla lays the ball up and in. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Ruthy Hebard defends Michaela Onyenwere. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
UCLA huddles in the third quarter. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Kennedy Burke indicates she did not foul. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Michaela Onyenwere boxes out Sabrina Ionescu for the rebound. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Maite Cazorla sizes up the offense. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Lindsey Corsaro and Maite Cazorla battle for the ball. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Michaela Onyenwere prepares to shoot. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Players battle for ball possession. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Kennedy Burke defends Sabrina Ionescu. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Lajahna Drummer rolls to the hoop. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Lajahna Drummer readies to shoot. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Oregon coach Kelly Graves shouts instructions to players. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
UCLA coach Cori Close. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Kiara Jefferson looks for the shot against Sabrina Ionescu. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Japreece Dean and Ruthy Hebard look for the rebound. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Japreece Dean goes up for the shot. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Michaela Onyenwere unleashes the shot. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Oti Gildon swings the ball. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu is defended by Lindsey Corsaro. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sabrina Ionescu looks for a teammate. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
The Oregon bench cheers late in the fourth quarter. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
UCLA huddles in the game’s final minutes. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Oregon coaches watch a foul shot. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Oregon coach Kelly Graves and his starters watch reserves on the court in the fourth quarter. Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
