Dec 16, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Andrea Bills had 18 points and 20 rebounds to lead No. 21 Oregon to a 68-56 victory over Santa Clara on Tuesday night.
Carolyn Ganes added 10 points for the Ducks (8-1), who won their third straight and are off to their best start in 20 years.
Whitney Sutak matched her career high of 20 points as Santa Clara (3-5) fell to 0-4 at home this season, its worst start at home since 1977-78. Ashley Gonnerman added 13 for the Broncos, who have lost eight of 10 all-time to Oregon.
Bills, who had 21 rebounds in a win over Montana on Friday, grabbed 13 rebounds in the second half.
The Ducks have one senior on the roster since Catherine Kraayeveld was lost for the season with a partially torn ACL in right knee two weeks ago. She was the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and scored her career high of 33 against the Broncos last year.
This was the fourth game without her, and the first time Oregon used the same lineup two consecutive games since her injury.
Gonnerman hit a short jumper to give Santa Clara a 38-31 lead less than a minute into the second half.
Five minutes later Chelsea Wagner's inside basket capped a 14-0 run that put Oregon up 45-38.
Santa Clara never trailed by more than nine points until the final minute, and made things difficult on the Ducks in the late going, pulling within four points in the final three minutes.
Oregon missed seven of its first 10 shots, allowing the Broncos, who made six of their first 12 shots, to remain within striking distance early.
Quinn Thomas hit a baseline jumper to spark a 6-1 run over the final 2:44 as Santa Clara took a 34-29 lead at halftime.