EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon women's basketball team used suffocating defense and lights-out shooting to blow past South Dakota State, 95-56, in a rematch of last season's Sweet Sixteen showdown on Sunday afternoon in front of 9,560 fans in Matthew Knight Arena.
The No. 3 Ducks (7-1) came out with terrific defensive energy from the opening tip, recording six steals and four blocked shots while forcing the Jackrabbits into 13 total turnovers, including 10 in the first half.
"That was the key," head coach Kelly Graves said of the defensive intensity. "South Dakota State, if you watch them play, there's a reason nobody ever wants to play them because they are so fundamentally sound and skilled.