Oregon WBB erases 17-point second-half deficit, stuns No. 7 Arizona in OT
On Thursday, the men toppled a top-10 opponent in UCLA. On Saturday, the Oregon women’s basketball team took its own shot at a top-10 and didn’t miss.
That game on Thursday went to overtime, but UCLA used a last-gasp comeback to get it there. This time, it was Oregon using a comeback to force overtime before guard Endyia Rogers hit the game-winner at the buzzer to beat No. 7 Arizona, 68-66.
UPSET IN OVERTIME! 🦆@OregonWBB pulls off the comeback to defeat No. 7 Arizona 68-66.#GoDucks | #Pac12WBB pic.twitter.com/5lp4sMJyW6
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) January 16, 2022
Saturday’s affair had a “#ThisGame” vibe to it pretty much the entire fourth quarter and into the overtime period. With 1:40 to play in the third quarter, the Wildcats held a 17-point lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Ducks outscored Arizona 18-5. It was a 7-0 run to start the fourth that brought the margin from 13 to six. Then it was a 6-0 run to close out the final 2:09 that tied things and forced the extra period. With 11 seconds to play in regulation, forward Nyala Sabally tied things up at 59-all.
She scored 20 points in the game and grabbed 13 boards, getting 10 points from the free throw line in the process. Guard Te-Hina Paopao poured in a game-high 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
But it was Rogers, who shot 2-for-11 from the game, who got the biggest bucket.
With the score tied at 66 and 10 seconds left on the clock, Rogers drove baseline and dished to Sydney Parrish in the corner. Her 3-point attempt bounced short iron, but Rogers was there for the rebound. She quickly flipped it up and in as the buzzer sounded and the Ducks went crazy.
Former Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu was in the building to witness the comeback, and newly-appointed head football coach Dan Lanning was watching and celebrating with the team.
WHAT A COMEBACK! Congrats @GoDucksKG and @OregonWBB on the win. #GoDucks https://t.co/XLXf5sWAKk
— Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) January 16, 2022
The Ducks moved to 9-5 on the season (2-1 Pac-12) with the win. For Arizona (12-2, 2-2 Pac-12), it’s just the second loss of the year, both of them in conference play.
This season has featured a heavy dose of heavy-hitters, and the competition won’t let up. The Ducks welcome UConn to Matthew Knight Arena on Monday, with tip-off set for 2 p.m. PT.