ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Satou Sabally scored 19 points and No. 1 Oregon overcame a tough first quarter by Texas-Arlington for a 91-54 victory Friday at the Paradise Jam tournament.
Taylor Chavez added 17 points and Ruthy Hedard had 16 points for the undefeated Ducks (6-0), who shot 53% and made 11 of 30 3-pointers.
Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu, the NCAA’s career triple-doubles leader with 19, was held to a season-low seven points — less than half her 15.5-point average. But she also had 10 assists and seven rebounds.
Marie Benson had 15 points and Claire Chastain added 10 points for the Lady Mavericks (4-2), who had 20 turnovers and shots 35.4% in losing their second straight.
However, Texas-Arlington gave Oregon fits in the first quarter, swapping the lead five times and tying the game three others in the first 7½ minutes. But Ionescu’s jumper with 2:03 left put the Ducks ahead to stay, and they closed the period with nine unanswered points for a 20-12 lead.
Oregon then put the game away in the second quarter, opening with a 15-2 run — capped by Erin Boley’s 3-pointer with 6:11 left —- to push the Ducks’ lead into double digits to stay. They would go on to outscore the Lady Mavericks 30-12 in the second quarter and lead 50-24 at the half.
Oregon drew away in the second half, ending the third quarter ahead 75-41 on Sabally’s layup with 15 seconds remaining. The Ducks’ reserves would take the lead to 39 points three times, the last at 91-52, late in the fourth quarter.
BIG PICTURE
Oregon: The Ducks have had two good tuneup games at Paradise Jam but get their toughest test in Saturday’s tournament finale against No. 8 Louisville, their second Top 25 opponent this season.
Texas-Arlington: Even with losing its second straight game against a top 10 team, the Lady Mavericks have equaled their start from last season, and their performance against Oregon could be a big confidence builder moving forward.
UP NEXT
Oregon: Plays No. 8 Louisville on Saturday in Paradise Jam.
Texas-Arlington: Plays Oklahoma State on Saturday in Paradise Jam.