DURHAM, N.C. — The Oregon Ducks built a big lead, lost it, then summoned enough grit to grind out a 77-73 overtime victory and advance to the second round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament. The 10th-seeded Ducks were rolling Friday in the second half against No. 7 seed Vanderbilt at Cameron Indoor Stadium. They had led by double digits for the entire second half and were just six minutes away from securing a spot in the second round of the tournament on Sunday.
But then Vanderbilt made its run. The Commodores closed regulation on a 19-5 run to force overtime. Despite losing three players to fouling out, Oregon dug deep and did just enough to edge the Commodores and advance. Peyton Scott contributed four critical points in overtime, finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Deja Kelly led the scoring for Oregon with 20 points, while Nani Falatea added 17 points, shooting 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.
The Ducks entered the tournament looking to shake off the disappointment of a first-round exit in the Big Ten Tournament at the hands of Indiana. After missing out on March Madness in consecutive years, they were driven to capitalize on this opportunity. Oregon had made notable improvements, under coach Kelly Graves, revamping the roster with seven transfers after a previously tough season.
Vanderbilt, on the other hand, was attempting to make its presence felt in the tournament, returning after nearly a decade’s absence. The Commodores were eager, riding on the momentum from their previous games, though they suffered a tough loss against South Carolina in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, where they fell 84-63.
The game tipped off at 5:30 PM ET at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Oregon managed to take a 36-25 lead into halftime, having shot an impressive 55% in the first half while holding Vanderbilt to just 30%. The Ducks out-rebounded the Commodores 19-11, putting them in a strong position as they entered the second half.
By the end of the third quarter, Oregon's lead had ballooned to 55-43. However, it was the fourth quarter that would shift the course of the game. Vanderbilt, needing a spark, went on a remarkable 9-0 run to cut the deficit significantly, and their relentless effort saw them force a tie by the end of regulation.
Leilani Kapinus made a crucial layup with just four seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime, keeping Vanderbilt's hopes alive.
Unfortunately for Vanderbilt, they faced the harsh reality of foul trouble. Mikayla Blakes, the Commodores’ leading scorer, ended up fouling out with less than a minute to go in overtime after a dazzling performance scoring 26 points and grabbing five rebounds. Khamil Pierre and Kapinus also fouled out, taking significant firepower away from Vanderbilt in the final minutes.
As the overtime unfolded, the teams initially traded shots, with Oregon gaining a slight lead. The Ducks were bolstered by fresh energy, securing rebounds and forcing turnovers while managing to maintain their composure amid the high-pressure environment.
Scott played a pivotal role, making critical shots in overtime. With under one minute remaining, Deja Kelly made a crucial free throw, extending Oregon's narrow lead to 75-73. On a critical possession, Scott grabbed an essential rebound after a Vanderbilt miss, allowing the Ducks to seal their victory with successful free throws.
The final score reflected a hard-fought battle, with Oregon winning 77-73, enabling them to progress to the next round, where they will face the winner of the matchup between Duke and Lehigh.
Oregon's record improved to 20-11 on the season, marking a significant accomplishment after their earlier struggles. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt wrapped up its season, concluding with a 22-11 record, showcasing their potential despite the disappointment.
As fans celebrated the victory, questions lingered about what lay ahead for both teams next as they navigate the challenges of March Madness. While Oregon distributed their emotional elation, Vanderbilt must reflect on their performance and what it means for future seasons.
Indeed, this NCAA tournament has set the stage for new narratives in women’s basketball, highlighting resilience, hard work, and the undying pursuit of victory amidst the odds.
