DURHAM, N.C. — Oregon women’s basketball turned heads during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, grinding out a thrilling overtime win against Vanderbilt before coming up short against No. 2 seed Duke in a closely contested second-round battle. Though their tournament run ended sooner than hoped, the Ducks showed flashes of a promising future.
First Round Flash: Overtime Composure
Facing No. 7 seed Vanderbilt on March 21 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the No. 10 seeded Ducks opened with energy and sharp execution. They built a lead as large as 19, controlling the tempo with aggressive defense and efficient ball movement. But that lead gradually slipped away, and Oregon found itself needing an extra five minutes to secure the win.
Graduate transfer Deja Kelly led the way with 22 points, five rebounds and four steals. Her ability to create shots off the dribble and hit key buckets in crunch time was critical. Peyton Scott chipped in 10 points and helped steady the offense when the Commodores made their push.
Despite giving up a sizable lead, Oregon’s poise in overtime stood out. Their resilience under pressure showed growth from earlier in the season, where closing games had been an issue.
Second Round: Close, But Not Enough
Two days later on March 23, Oregon faced the tall task of taking down No. 2 seed Duke on their home floor. The Ducks came out swinging, taking a 19-12 lead after the first quarter thanks to hot shooting and crisp ball movement. But the Blue Devils’ size, depth, and half-court execution eventually took over.
Duke outscored Oregon in each of the final three quarters and sealed a 59-53 win despite another 22-point effort from Kelly. Ashlon Jackson exploded for 20 points for the Blue Devils, all of which came in the second half, proving to be the difference-maker.
What the Ducks Did Well
Throughout the tournament—and the season—Oregon showed flashes of excellence in transition offense. When the Ducks pushed the pace, they created high-percentage looks and got to the line. Kelly’s leadership and shot-making ability gave them a go-to option late in games, something they sorely lacked last year.
Defensively, Oregon played with intensity, often creating turnovers with ball pressure and trapping schemes. Against Vanderbilt, they forced key turnovers in overtime. Against Duke, they held one of the country’s top seeds to under 60 points—a testament to their improved discipline and communication on defense.
Where They Can Improve
To reach the next level, Oregon will need to clean up its offensive consistency. Scoring droughts plagued them at critical points throughout the season and re-emerged in the second half against Duke. Their half-court sets occasionally lacked fluidity, and they often relied too heavily on Kelly’s individual shot creation.
Rebounding remains an area that needs addressing. While the Ducks competed on the glass, they were outrebounded in several key games this year, including the loss to Duke. Establishing a stronger interior presence—both offensively and defensively—could help balance their perimeter-heavy attack.
Season Reflection and What’s Next
After a disappointing 11-21 finish last year, the Ducks rebounded with a 20-12 record and a 10-8 mark in their first Big Ten season. Their resume included signature wins over Baylor and Michigan State, and their tournament performance reaffirmed that Oregon is trending upward.
The emergence of Deja Kelly as a consistent scorer and leader gave the Ducks an identity. With a strong incoming class and the potential return of several core contributors, Oregon appears well-positioned to take another step forward in 2025–26.
This year’s group brought back the fight that once defined Oregon women’s basketball. With sharper execution and added depth, the Ducks could soon return to national contention.
Pacific Playbook 
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