EUGENE, Ore. — LSU’s ninth-ranked Lady Tigers basketball team got down early and could not come back, falling 76-67, to Oregon in the championship game of the Women’s Sports Foundation Classic on Sunday evening in McArthur Court.
The Ducks (2-0) jumped out to an 11-4 lead to open the game and led by as many as 16 in the first half before taking a 41-26 lead in the break. Oregon opened the second by taking a 21-point lead, but LSU (1-1) managed to chip away and cut the lead down to nine with 4:01 left in the second half, but could not get any closer.
“Congratulations to Oregon and coach Bev Smith,” said LSU head coach Sue Gunter. “They had a terrific game plan and they took us out of the things we wanted to do. They played with more intensity in the first half and it showed in the score. We need to learn from this game and move on from here.”
LSU was led by Seimone Augustus with 22 points, including 14 in the second half. She earned all-tournament team honors for her efforts. Doneeka Hodges added 16 points and Temeka Johnson chipped in with 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds and five assists.
Catherine Kraayeveld led Oregon with 26 points and nine rebounds to earned tournament MVP honors, while Andrea Bills joined her on the all-tournament team with a 21-point performance.
Kraayeveld, who hit five three-point baskets during the game, nailed one with 2:10 left in the game the put Oregon up by 14 and sealed the game after LSU had cut the lead to 11 on a free throw by Johnson.
The Lady Tigers managed to outrebound the taller Ducks 37-33, but shot 41.4 percent from the floor, including just 29.7 in the first half. Oregon shot 53.3 percent from the floor and 63.2 in the second half.
LSU will next travel to No. 8 Penn State on Friday at 6 p.m. CST to open the Lady Lions season at the Bryce-Jordan Center.