With Idaho on the schedule, the Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team probably didn’t expect a close contest from the 4-3 Vandals.
However, Idaho buckled down on the defense and made it tough on the Ducks to score, but Oregon scored just enough for the 59-51 win at Matthew Knight Arena.
Chance Gray led the way with 20 points, Grace VanSlooten added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Phillipina Kyei added 16 points and 17 boards.
Kennedy Johnson led the Vandals with 15 points and Hope Butera hit 3-of-5 from downtown for her 13 points.
While it was a close game throughout, Idaho never had the lead. Oregon held a slim 29-21 halftime lead and a 43-39 lead after three quarters. The Vandals made it a one-possession game a few times in the fourth quarter, but the Ducks always had an answer to keep the advantage.
Neither team shot particularly well. Oregon was 38.5 percent from the field on 20-of-52 shooting while Idaho was just 22-of-61 shooting (36 percent).
At 5-3, the Ducks will now prepare for Portland State Saturday afternoon at 2 pm.