Women’s Basketball Recap: Oregon Ducks vs Illinois Fighting Illini

The Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team suffered a 64-59 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday afternoon. Oregon got off to a hot start, leading 9-4 early behind a quick 7-point spurt by Deja Kelly. But it was all Illinois after that, taking a 19-2 run into the first minute of the 2nd quarter. But then it was Oregon’s turn to go on a run of their own, holding the Fighting Illini to just 5 points the rest of the 2nd, and cutting the deficit to just one point, 28-27 at the half, on a Nani Falatea buzzer beater.

It was a back-and-forth 3rd quarter, with both teams fighting hard to take control, but neither would give in. The lead would not change, but Oregon’s deficit never grew to more than 6 points, with Ducks ultimately trailing 40-37 going into the final period. Oregon would eventually take a 4-point lead early in the 4th, but Illinois wouldn’t go away, and behind Genesis Bryant and Gretchen Dolan both scoring 8 points in the quarter, the Fighting Illini would ultimately be victorious over the Ducks, 64-59 and remain undefeated at home.

The Ducks head to Evanston, IL next, hoping to bounce back against the Northwestern Wildcats on New Years Eve, at 12:00 PM PST.

As always, ‘Sco Ducks.