The Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team opens the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) on Thursday, March 20 against the Pacific Tigers at Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks (15-15) and Tigers (18-12) tip at 7 p.m. This is Oregon’s sixth trip to the WNIT, and the Ducks are the top scoring team in the nation averaging 93.5 points per game. All-Pac-12 choice Jillian Alleyne leads the nation in rebounding at 15.9 rpg and double-doubles, with 27. Alleyne also ranks third in the Pac-12 in scoring at 21.8 ppg. All-Pac-12 freshman team choice Chrishae Rowe is second in the league in scoring at 21.9 ppg and is the top scoring freshman in the NCAA.
With their win over the Pacific Tigers, the Ducks will face the winner of the Washington vs. Hawai’i game in the second round of the WNIT.
Oregon senior guard Ariel Thomas (21) gets fouled by Pacific forward Shanice Butler (32) during the first half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
Ducks guard Chrishae Rowe (21) reaches through the arms of Tigers forward Erin Butler (12) during a steal in the first half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
The Oregon bench celebrates Lexi Petersen’s (33) three-pointer during the second half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon guard Chrishae Rowe (21) and Tigers guard KiKi Moore (24) collide as Moore drives into the paint during the first half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore forward Jillian Alleyne (14) reaches to stop a ball from going out of bounds during the second half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
Pacific forward Marjorie Heard (40) reacts to a call made by the referee during the second half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
Oregon junior center Megan Carpenter (40) fights for a loose rebound during the final minutes of the second half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Oregon team celebrates their 90-63 win over the Pacific Tigers. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon forward Lexi Petersen (14) looks for an open shot around Pacific forward Kendall Kenyon (10) during the second half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Duck takes a playful “selfie” with a trio of Oregon fans during a timeout in the second half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon junior guard Katelyn Loper (31) reacts to a foul called against her by the referee during the first half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)
Pacific head coach Lynne Roberts has words with the sideline official during the first half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon junior guard Amanda Delgado (12) watches the play on court intently before she is subbed in during the first half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon guard Katelyn Loper (31) is introduced before tipoff. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon Ducks freshman guard Chrishae Rowe (21) gets picked up by a teammate after being fouled during the first half. The Oregon Ducks play the Pacific Tigers in the WNIT opener at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on March 20, 2014. (Dominic Allen/Emerald)