- Oregon squanders 19-point lead but rallies in overtime
- Deja Kelly scores 20 points at familiar Cameron Indoor Stadium
- Vanderbilt's SEC Freshman of the Year fouls out in final minute
- Ducks improve to 7-1 in games decided by ≤4 points
In a heart-stopping NCAA Tournament opener, the Oregon Ducks demonstrated remarkable resilience after nearly collapsing against Vanderbilt's fourth-quarter surge. The game at Duke's historic Cameron Indoor Stadium saw 11 lead changes, with both teams battling foul trouble in the final minutes. Oregon's victory marks their first March Madness win since 2021, fueled by clutch free throws from veteran players.
Deja Kelly delivered a standout performance in her fourth appearance at the arena, contributing 20 points and three steals. The senior guard's experience proved vital during overtime, where Oregon converted 8-of-10 free throws. Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes nearly willed her team to victory with 26 points before fouling out with 38 seconds remaining in OT.
Strategic Insight: Oregon's defensive adjustments limited Vanderbilt to 2-of-14 three-point shooting, forcing the Commodores into contested mid-range attempts. This marked Vanderbilt's worst perimeter performance since November 2023.
The regional dynamics of playing at a Tobacco Road venue added drama, with Kelly drawing both cheers and boos from Duke fans familiar with her UNC tenure. This geographic subplot highlights the NCAA's intentional first-round matchup designs to boost attendance.
With both starting forwards fouled out, Oregon's bench depth became decisive. Reserve guard Amina Muhammad sank two critical free throws with 12 seconds left, extending Oregon's late lead. The Ducks' ability to win close games (7-1 record in ≤4-point decisions) suggests they could challenge No. 2 Duke in the next round.