Ducks Stay Perfect at Pape Jam

Rick Morgan

Kaela Chapdelaine's seven assists allowed the Oregon women to find inside points - 17 from Ellyce Ironmonger and 14 more by Ellie Manou - as the Ducks ran away from the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. It was the 10th straight victory in the Portland showcase for the ladies. Earlier in the season, quick entry passes by Chapdelaine and Tamika Nurse were handled less fluidly, stalling the offense or turning the ball over. Against the Gauchos - the Ducks used good offensive spacing and received the ball well inside to offer a glipse at what may become a very entertaining team .

Not that the first half of the game offered any glimpse of the above. Shooting less than 30% the Ducks held the Gauchos to a poor stat as well, 25.9% and took a one point lead into the locker room 20-19.

Both teams ramped it up a bit after the break but the Ducks were also able to fashion a 23 for 31 showing at the free throw line to distance themselves from UCSB who was frequently left no option but to foul when the Ducks were efficient with their sets.

A more wide open than usual Pac-10 conference could give these Ducks an opportunity to make quite a nice ruckus for themselves. Young teams mostly don't fare well in the Pac-10 and this is a young team - but they gave the big city a good accounting of themselves. A road trip to Baylor - always a Big 12 power - and a holiday tournament in Cancun will conclude the non-conference schedule, the Ducks visit the Beavers to open Pac-10 play on December