The final score of 115-36 is only slightly more lopsided than expected given that AK Fairbanks is a Division-II school and Oregon is a national title contender, but the sellout crowd of 1,603 at Alaska Airlines Court celebrated despite the home team being blown out because Fairbanks’ own Ruthy Hebard was putting on a show with the Ducks.
The natives of Fairbanks, who waited in 5-degree weather to watch Oregon’s debut, almost missed out on seeing their hometown hero in action.
”I woke up, I didn’t feel good, but I was like, ‘OK, everyone’s coming, I’m getting texts all day.