Ducks Unleash Dominance: Oregon Women's Basketball Cruises Past Utah State with Explosive Third Quarter

Well, if you were looking for an early-season statement from the Oregon Ducks women's basketball team, you certainly got one! In what felt like a true exhibition of their potential, the Ducks absolutely ran away with it, dismantling Utah State by a staggering 97-36 margin right here at Matthew Knight Arena. It was a dominant performance from start to finish, a real showcase of talent and teamwork that left little doubt about their capabilities.

While the Ducks held a comfortable 18-point lead going into halftime, setting the stage for what was clearly going to be a home win, nobody could have predicted the sheer explosion that was about to unfold in the third quarter. It was simply breathtaking. The Ducks came out of the locker room with an intensity that was almost palpable, unleashing a relentless 31-4 run. Yes, you read that right – thirty-one points to Utah State's four in a single quarter! That kind of dominance just sucks the air out of the opponent and really lights up the crowd, you know? It truly transformed a comfortable lead into an insurmountable chasm.

Leading the charge was the ever-impressive Grace VanSlooten, who looked utterly unstoppable. She poured in a game-high 20 points, doing so with remarkable efficiency in just 20 minutes on the court, and nearly grabbed a double-double with 9 rebounds. What a performance! Not far behind was Chance Gray, who chipped in a fantastic 19 points while also orchestrating the offense beautifully with 6 assists. Her vision and execution were really on point throughout the game.

But the scoring didn't stop with the starters. The depth of this Oregon squad is truly something to watch. Phillipina Kyei was a force in the paint, contributing 13 points and pulling down 8 crucial rebounds, making her presence felt on both ends. And talk about making an impact off the bench – Sofia Bell stepped up admirably, adding 11 points, while Kennady Schlegel showed her scoring touch with 9 points. It's that kind of all-around contribution that makes a team truly dangerous and gives Coach Kelly Graves so many options.

Honestly, the Ducks were just on fire from the field, boasting an impressive 57.6% shooting percentage for the game. They weren't just scoring inside either; they also hit 40% from beyond the arc, which is a solid clip. And let's not forget the unselfish play, racking up a whopping 26 assists on 38 made baskets – that's a testament to Coach Graves' emphasis on team basketball and moving the ball around. On the other side of the court, Utah State, despite their best efforts, really struggled to find their rhythm, shooting a tough 20.3% from the field with Taylor Franson leading them with 11 points.

This kind of commanding victory, especially so early in the season, is a huge confidence booster and a clear indicator of what this Oregon team is capable of. It was a complete team effort, showcasing their offensive firepower, defensive tenacity, and impressive depth. Up next for the Ducks is Southern Utah, and if this performance is anything to go by, it promises to be another exciting matchup. The future looks bright for Oregon women's basketball, that's for sure!