Vonleh leads the Buffaloes to a 61-48 victory over the Ducks
Aaronette Vonleh had a stellar performance on Sunday, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to help No. 3 Colorado beat Oregon 61-48. The sophomore center was dominant in the paint, shooting 7-of-9 from the field and blocking two shots. She also made both of her free throws and had two assists.
Vonleh’s double-double was her fifth of the season and her third in the last four games. She has been a key factor for the Buffaloes (16-3, 6-2), who bounced back from a loss at Oregon State on Friday to remain in sole possession of second place in the Pac-12.
Whittaker and Nolan provide support for Colorado
Vonleh was not the only one who contributed to Colorado’s win. Charlotte Whittaker added eight points and four rebounds, while Maddie Nolan hit two crucial 3-pointers in the second quarter. Nolan finished with six points and three assists, while Whittaker shot 4-of-6 from the field.
The Buffaloes also played solid defense, holding the Ducks (11-11, 2-7) to 31.6% shooting and forcing 15 turnovers. Colorado outscored Oregon 28-18 in the paint and 14-8 in fast-break points.
VanSlooten and Kyei try to keep Oregon in the game
Oregon was led by Grace VanSlooten with 16 points and eight rebounds. The freshman forward was the only Duck who scored in double figures, as she made six of her 12 shots and four of her five free throws. She also had two steals and a block.
Phillipina Kyei added 12 points and 17 rebounds for Oregon, but she struggled from the field, making only four of her 15 attempts. The senior center also had four turnovers and three fouls.
Colorado pulls away in the second quarter and holds off Oregon’s rally
The game was close in the first quarter, as Oregon led 8-7 with 2:24 left in the period. However, Colorado scored the final six points of the quarter and continued its run in the second quarter, opening with a 13-0 spurt. Nolan hit two 3-pointers, while Sara-Rose Smith and Vonleh scored inside.
Kyei snapped Colorado’s burst with a pair of free throws, but the Buffaloes responded with eight more points, including back-to-back baskets by Whittaker. Nolan and Kindyll Wetta also scored to put Colorado ahead 31-10. Oregon did not make a field goal in the second quarter, as Colorado took a 31-11 lead to the break.
Colorado stretched its lead to 39-17 in the third quarter, but Oregon made a late rally in the fourth quarter. The Ducks cut the deficit to 48-41 with 5:25 left to play, thanks to a 11-0 run fueled by VanSlooten and Tameiya Sadler. However, that was as close as they could get, as Colorado scored six straight points to secure the win.
What’s next for both teams
Colorado: The Buffaloes will visit Washington State on Friday, as they continue their road trip in the Northwest. Colorado is aiming for its first Pac-12 title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Buffaloes have four ranked teams remaining on their schedule, including No. 1 South Carolina and No. 2 Stanford.
Oregon: The Ducks will have a week off before hosting Oregon State on Sunday. Oregon is hoping to snap a four-game losing streak and improve its chances of making the NCAA Tournament. The Ducks have seven straight games against ranked opponents, including No. 4 Kansas State and No. 5 UCLA.
