The Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team just endured one of the most brutal four-game stretches of their season—one that tested their resilience, exposed their weaknesses, and gave them a taste of both triumph and tough reality. It all started with an upset win on the road, but as the competition ramped up, the Ducks were reminded just how steep the climb is in the world of elite women’s college basketball.
Let’s take a closer look at this pivotal stretch, starting with their best Big Ten win of the season.
Jan. 30 – Oregon Stuns No. 20 Michigan State (63-59)
Heading into East Lansing, Oregon wasn’t given much of a chance. The Spartans, ranked No. 20 in the country and currently fourth in a stacked Big Ten, had been dominant at home. But the Ducks weren’t fazed. They played with energy, knocked down big shots when they needed them, and held off Michigan State in the final minutes to secure an upset win, 63-59.
Scoring wasn’t all that flashy for Oregon, but its defense carried the night, while the offense did just enough to pull off the victory. Peyton Scott led the Ducks with 12 points, shooting 50% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc. Nani Falatea added 10 points on 50% shooting from both the field and three-point range, while Deja Kelly contributed 10 points. Despite her struggles from the floor, shooting just 30.7%, Kelly impacted the game in other ways, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists.
This victory was Oregon’s best Big Ten win of the season. The Ducks had struggled against top-tier opponents earlier in the season, but now they had proof that they could hang with some of the best. The defense was locked in, and they found just enough offense to pull off a statement road win. If there was ever a moment to build momentum, this was it.
Their best overall win of the season, though, came much earlier—way back on Nov. 10. That’s when they shocked Baylor at home, 76-74. At the time, it felt big, but it looks even more impressive now, as Baylor currently sits third in the Big 12 and ranked No. 12 in the nation.
Feb. 2 – Michigan Brings Oregon Back to Earth (80-48)
Three days later, the Ducks traveled to Ann Arbor to face an unranked but dangerous Michigan squad. The Wolverines aren’t among the Big Ten’s elite, currently sitting at No. 8 in the conference, but they played like a team on a mission. From the opening tip, Michigan imposed its will, smothering Oregon defensively and overwhelming them in transition.
Oregon’s offense showed small flashes, with Phillipina Kyei leading the team with 11 points on 45% shooting, along with eight rebounds. Katie Fiso also contributed 11 points, knocking down her only three-point attempt and shooting 50% from the field. However, the Ducks couldn’t find any rhythm against Michigan’s defense, while the Wolverines’ offense was simply too efficient.
Mila Holloway led Michigan with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists, shooting 53.8% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Olivia Olson dominated inside, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds while shooting an incredible 70% from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from deep. Even Greta Kampschroeder, who had a quieter night with nine points, was lethal when she shot the ball, going 75% from the field and a flawless 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
The Ducks simply couldn’t keep up. Their offense sputtered, shots weren’t falling, and by the time the dust settled, they had suffered their worst loss of the season—an 80-48 blowout.
The reality check was swift. As much as the Michigan State win was encouraging, this game served as a stark reminder that Oregon still had a long way to go before competing consistently with top-level teams.
Feb. 4 – Maryland Rolls Through Eugene (79-61)
Back home at Matthew Knight Arena, the Ducks had a chance to reset. But it didn’t get any easier, as No. 16 Maryland came to town. The Terrapins, currently ranked No. 16 in the nation and sixth in the Big Ten, wasted no time asserting their dominance.
Oregon once again struggled offensively but still had a couple of bright spots. Ehis Etute led the Ducks with 14 points and seven rebounds, shooting 51.4% from the field. Ari Long followed with 11 points, shooting 44% from the field and an impressive 60% from beyond the arc.
But Oregon had no answer for Maryland’s offensive juggernaut. Sarah Te-Biasu was unstoppable, torching the Ducks with 26 points and four assists while shooting an astounding 81.8% from the field and 71.4% from deep. Kaylene Smikle added 21 points and nine rebounds, struggling from the field at just 38.4% but making up for it at the free throw line, where she was a perfect 10-for-10. Saylor Poffenbarger recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 50% from the field and 40% from three.
Oregon showed flashes of promise but never seemed fully in control. The offense had its moments, but Maryland’s experience and efficiency were too much. The 79-61 final score reflected a game where the Ducks battled but ultimately got outclassed by a team built for deep postseason runs.
This loss reinforced an uncomfortable truth: while Oregon had the ability to compete for stretches, they were struggling to put together a complete 40-minute game against top-tier opponents.
Feb. 7 – A Gritty Fight Against No. 1 UCLA, but Not Enough (62-52)
Then came the ultimate test. No. 1 UCLA, undefeated at 22-0 and sitting atop both the Big Ten and national rankings, came to Eugene looking to extend its perfect season. On paper, this should have been another lopsided loss for Oregon. But to its credit, the team fought hard.
Oregon fell behind in both the first and third quarters, and for much of the game, it coasted. But even when the Ducks weren’t making big runs, they kept UCLA from completely running away with it.
Falatea led Oregon with 19 points and five rebounds, shooting 40% from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Kelly added 14 points and five rebounds, also knocking down all four of her free throws, but she struggled from the field, shooting just 29.4%.
UCLA’s Londynn Jones took over when it mattered most, leading all scorers with 21 points on 60% shooting, including a deadly 71.4% from beyond the arc. Her efficient scoring proved to be the difference, as the Bruins maintained their cushion down the stretch and secured the win.
The final score of 62-52 reflected a game where Oregon never quite had the firepower to challenge UCLA, but it also never allowed itself to get completely buried.
Even in defeat, this game felt different. Oregon didn’t get run off the floor like it did against Michigan or Maryland. The Ducks stood toe-to-toe with the best team in the country and didn’t make things easy for them. That’s something to build on.
What This Stretch Taught Us About Oregon
This four-game stretch was a rollercoaster—one stunning upset, two humbling defeats, and one hard-fought loss against the best team in the country. It showed that Oregon is capable of competing with elite teams, but it also revealed just how much ground it has to make up.
The Ducks have the talent and flashes of promise, but consistency remains a question mark. Can they build on what they learned from this gauntlet and finish the season strong? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: this young Oregon team isn’t backing down from anyone.
Pacific Playbook 
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