CORVALLIS — Oregon women’s basketball just can’t seem to beat instate rival Oregon State. None of the players on the current roster have ever seen a check in the win column, as the Ducks struggle to muster any sort of production in the Civil War.

Friday’s most recent installment was no different as the Ducks fell behind early, watching as No. 11 Oregon State was able to claim the 60-33 victory within the always raucous Gill Coliseum for its 10th straight in the series.

“We had some kids hanging heads,” Oregon head coach Kelly Graves said. “I didn’t coach a good game, obviously didn’t find the right answer. It was everybody, equal opportunity.”

Oregon (11-3, 0-3 Pac-12) couldn’t hit any shots during the game. As a team they shot 14-65 (21.5%) from the field and just 1-18 (5.6%) from deep. The inability to score was a mixture of uncharacteristic misses from the Ducks and tough defense by the Beavers (11-3, 2-1).

“Not going to beat anybody shooting like that, let alone one of the best teams in the country,” Graves said. “I just didn’t think offensively we could struggle like we did.”

Oregon’s star senior Jillian Alleyne struggled to make a mark on the proceedings, as the Beavers did a great job keeping her out of the play. Alleyne faced a double or triple team most of the night, and that kind of attention kept her from making an impact on the boards as well. She ended the night with 10 points and six rebounds — well below her averages of 19.7 and 14.2.

Of course the presence of Oregon State center Ruth Hamblin also played a part, as Alleyne always struggles to produce against the 6-foot-6 senior. Her size keeps Alleyne out of her comfort zone, forcing the forward into taking midrange jumpers. Hamblin finished with a game-high 15 points, nine rebounds and seven blocked shots.

It was a physical game as both teams tried to establish position down low. The fouls came early and often and both sides employed traps and the fullcourt press to try and force turnovers. The Beavers were finally able to break through offensively, using a 13 point run to take a 22-9 lead early in the second.

With the Ducks struggling Graves turned to the end of the bench to try and find some energy to inject into the action. Third-string guard Mar’Shay Moore, who has struggled to earn minutes all season, was the answer, providing a boost with relentless ball pressure.

“She played fearless,” Graves said. “I thought she really changed the game in the first half with her defensive pressure.”

The limitations were there for Moore, though, as she struggled on offense shooting 0-5 in her 18 minutes off the bench.

At halftime the Beavers led 32-18.

Oregon State was again without star guard Sydney Wiese, who is continuing to recover from a hand injury sustained during a loss against Tennessee back on December 19th. With her backcourt partner out senior Jamie Weisner ran the show for the Beavers, providing the emotional spark for a crowd of 4462. She finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

An injury scare for the Ducks came late in the third when Alleyne crashed to the floor during a battle a rebound. As play continued she tried to stand, only to fall back down to the court with an apparent injury to her left knee. She was able to return to the action later in the game, and told members of the media that everything was ok as she left the arena for the team bus.

By the fourth quarter the game felt more like a formality, as the Ducks were never able to fight back into things as the score ballooned out of control. This is now the third-straight loss for Oregon in conference play.

“I think we just forget this game and keep working — we are going to be good,” freshman point guard Maite Cazorla said. “We need to be confident.”

Due to the strange scheduling of Pac-12 women’s basketball, both these teams will return to Matthew Knight Arena to finish the doubleheader on Sunday. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur

The kind of success that Oregon track and field had last season will be difficult to replicate. Individuals shined on the national stage and championships were claimed.

Yet, with the start of the 2016 Indoor season just around the corner, the Ducks hope that this year will be just as memorable.

Last year, Oregon swept the Outdoor Track and Field Championships and nearly did it in the indoor meet as well, with the men winning and the women taking second. Many of the athletes who helped push the team to that level of success have returned to this year’s roster.

Star distance runner Edward Cheserek is back for a junior campaign in which he will look to add to his collection of accolades. Joining him are fellow returnees, junior Marcus Chambers (sprints), sophomore Nate Moore (jumps) and redshirt senior Greg Skipper (throws).

For the women, all eyes should be on redshirt junior Jasmine Todd (jumps), senior Annie Leblanc (middle distance), redshirt junior Brittany Mann (throws) and junior Sasha Wallace (hurdles).

Two surprising scorers from the outdoor championships — middle distance sophomores Blake Haney and Raevyn Rogers — should also be expected to take on bigger roles this season as they continue to progress.

One of the biggest questions will be seeing how Devon Allen looks on the track as he continues to recover from a knee injury that he suffered on the football field. The redshirt sophomore found success in the past from his speed between hurdles, but if that is limited in any way, he may need to focus more on his technique going over them to make up for his lack of explosiveness.

Of course not every member of last year’s team is back. The biggest loss comes on the women’s side in the form of star sprinter Jenna Prandini, who decided to forgo her senior season as a Duck in order to jump-start her professional career. Prandini was the difference maker in the outdoor championships. The Bowerman Trophy recipient scored 26 points to help win the first title for the women since 1985.

The athlete most poised to take over her levels of production is Todd — a role she’s familiar with after filling in for a sick Prandini at last year’s Pac-12 Championships. Todd gained plenty of valuable experience at the USA Track and Field Championships this past summer, finishing third in the 100 meters, and should be able to carry that momentum into the new season.

On the men’s side, one of the keys will be finding new distance runners to score points alongside Cheserek, as Eric Jenkins and Will Geoghegan are both gone. Two highly touted freshmen, Matthew Maton and Tanner Anderson, could be the answer as they develop under the nation’s best runner.

The Ducks will compete in five meets before heading up to Seattle to partake in the Mountain Pacifc Sports Federation Championships on Feb. 26. Of those meets, the Razorback Invitational (Jan. 29-30) and the Don Kirby Elite (Feb. 12-13) should have some of the stiffest competition.

The season will conclude with the NCAA Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama on March 11-12.

Early expectations for this program should be, for both the men and women, to finish in the top three at the Championships. Despite losing talent, a school like Oregon always has incoming groups to fill the void.

Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur

Malachi Williams is a big Oregon sports fan, so it’s no surprise that after moving to Seattle, he felt compelled to return to the city where he went to school.

A current crowd host at Matthew Knight Arena, Williams has been around the Duck sports scene for awhile. Recently, he took the time to explain his role with Oregon athletics, reminisce about his favorite moments and talk about how crucial the students are to creating a memorable game experience.

How long have you done it for?

I did it for three seasons and then my wife and I moved to Seattle for a job opportunity. Then, when she got pregnant, we decided we wanted to move back. So this will be my fourth season — just not consecutive.

This is obviously a job you enjoy doing.

The biggest thing I enjoy about it is connecting with the students and the people in the community. I’m not from here. I’m from Portland, but I’ve been here since 1999. I’ve been able to connect with a lot of people during that time.

So being in front of the crowd is a part you enjoy?

I like interacting with the Pit Crew; they are such a vital part of the success of Matthew Knight Arena. We saw it with Baylor, when we had 2,500 students. When they are strong in numbers and energy, it makes a huge difference with the players. It adds a lot for me too. I feel like I have to be on my ‘A’ game when they are. And when the numbers are lower, the temperature of the building is a lot different.

Do you have a promotion that you like the most?

I like the ones where the students or kids are involved. The last one we had two college students, one middle schooler and an elementary school girl playing a game of bump. The elementary school girl beat the three older guys, and the crowd had the loudest reaction all night for her. So doing something like that. Because I know she will remember it, since when I was her age I would have too.

The students seem to be one of the best parts for you.

Without the students there is no arena, there is no basketball game or team, no donors, no ticket sales — all of these jobs are because there are students coming to the university to learn, to advance themselves. We forget that. I like involving them as much as possible.

Does it help that you were a part of the school as a student and mascot?

I would be in the Duck suit for the first half and I loved it so much that I would get out of the suit and let another mascot get in for the second. I would go stand next to the cheerleaders and the Pit Crew and go crazy for Luke [Jackson], Luke [Ridnour] and Freddy [Jones]. Because of that, I want to go crazy for Jordan Bell. When I see Chris Boucher running the baseline and Tyler Dorsey looking up, I’m thinking lob; I’m thinking this place is about to go berserk. That’s who I was and who I am now. I have a child and am married, but it’s part of me.

How long do you plan on doing this?

You know, I have a 10-month-old who might get to the point where he looks at me and says ‘Dad, you are goofy.’ Or maybe he will think it’s cool what his dad does. I will do it as long as the athletic department wants me to and as long as the students and student athletes like what I am doing.

Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur

TrackTown USA defended the integrity and actions that were made during the Eugene proposal to host the 2021 World Championships, according to a press release sent out Wednesday afternoon.

The group claims that the second proposal was identical to the first, following all ethical and legal standards for organizing, presenting and advocating the city as a host. The decision to go with Eugene was made by the IAAF Council in a 23-1 vote.

TrackTown USA turned to hosting the 2021 Championships after losing the 2019 bid to Doha. Much of the controversy surrounding the bid stems from the fact that there was no formal process, and the European Athletics Federation was caught unaware and thus unable to formulate its own proposals.

The bid going to Eugene marks the first time the United States will play host to the World Championships, and the benefit of bringing the event to the world’s biggest sports market was one of the keys to the proposal.

The statement concludes by reaffirming the commitment to work with the IAAF in preparing the city and venue for the Championships. Hayward is scheduled to undergo renovations this summer to boost the seating capacity for the required amount.

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Hayward Field’s facelift has taken the next step, as the UO Foundation, an independent non-profit organization, is managing the renovation. The foundation is responsible for receiving and distributing all gifts sent to the University of Oregon.

The renovation to the historic stadium will begin after it hosts its sixth U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials next summer. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2016, with the plan to have Hayward ready to host the NCAA Track and Field Championships in 2017.

A timeline of the project has been released:

2016

June 8-11: NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

July 1-10: U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials

July 29: TrackTown Summer Series Championships

August 1: Construction begins

2017

Mid-May: Construction substantially complete

June 7-10: NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

June 30: Construction resumes for renovation completion (estimate: 90 days)

The renovations are projected to go on for a year, with the goal to modernize the stadium while maintaining the tradition of the facility. The design will bring the older east grandstands into the modern era while preserving the original character. The construction project will also rebuild the rest of the venue, turning it into a world-class facility.

The UO Human Physiology faculty and students currently housed in the Bowerman Building will move to a separate dedicated facility within the west grandstands that will double as a research space with direct access to the indoor training facility, outdoor track and rec fields. The locker rooms will also be updated for the benefit of the athletes.

Upon completion of the project, and with approval from Oregon President Michael Schill and the UO Board of Trustees, the stadium will be named the Hayward Field at the Bowerman Track and Field Complex.

Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur

Former Oregon track and field standout Jenna Prandini was awarded the 2015 Bowerman Trophy, collegiate track and field’s most prestigious individual honor, Thursday night.

Prandini accepted the award from former teammate and 2014 winner Laura Roesler. She beat out fellow finalists Demi Payne from Stephen F. Austin and Kendra Harrison from Kentucky.

Jenna Prandini (@J_Prandini): The Most Outstanding Female Student-Athlete In Collegiate Track & Field. #Bowerman2015 pic.twitter.com/PGKmEPAf6n

— The Bowerman (@thebowerman) December 18, 2015

“To my coaches, thank you for believing in me and pushing me every single day,” Prandini said on stage. “I wouldn’t be standing up here if it weren’t for you.”

Prandini had an impressive showing in her final year as a Duck. The junior was the most prolific NCAA Championship point scorer in NCAA history, totaling 49 points between the indoor and outdoor Championships. At indoors she won the long jump, was runner-up in the 200 meters and took fourth in the 60 meters. In the outdoor competition she claimed a victory in the 100 and took second in both the 200 and long jump.

She recorded the second-fastest time in collegiate history in the 100 (10.92) and her 200-meter time was the fourth-fastest (22.21).

Prandini’s award brings the total number of Oregon’s Bowerman Trophies to four — more than any other school in the country. She joins former winners Galen Rupp (2009), Ashton Eaton (2010) and Roesler (2014).

Fellow Duck and current Oregon junior Edward Cheserek was a finalist for the second-straight year on the men’s side. He watched as Marquis Dendy from Florida took home the Trophy on the men’s side. Cheserek is the only finalist from 2015 that will return to collegiate competition this year.

Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur

For the second consecutive year Oregon has two athletes named as finalists for The Bowerman Trophy, which is awarded to the top male and female track and field competitors in the nation.

Junior Edward Cheserek and former teammate Jenna Prandini will both wait to see if their names are announced as the winner during the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association convention on Thursday night.

Prandini decided to forgo her senior year in Eugene to turn pro, capping a fantastic final season as a Duck. She was the most prolific NCAA Championship point-scorer in 2015, totaling 49 points between the indoor and outdoor Championships. At indoors she won the long jump, finished second at 200 meters and fourth at 60 meters. In outdoors she won the 100 and was second in both the 200 and long jump. Prandini’s 100 meter time was the second-fastest in collegiate history (10.92) and her 200 outdoor time was the fourth-fastest (22.21).

Cheserek finished 2015 with four individual NCAA titles, including the mile at the indoor meet and the 5000 and 10,000 in the outdoor competition. Cheserek turned in three sub-four-minute miles during the indoor season, with two at the NCAA Indoor Championships and the other setting a new school record time of 3:56.43 at the Millrose Games. His efforts helped the Duck men sweep the indoor and outdoor national titles this season.

Oregon has seen nine finalists and three winners since the creation of The Bowerman Trophy in 2009. That is the most of any other college in the country. Galen Rupp, Ashton Eaton and Laura Roesler are the Duck athletes who have brought the trophy back to Tracktown, USA.

The ceremony will take place on Thursday, with the presentation set to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur

The battle for the Alamo will feature two high-powered offenses that are adept at torching defenses and scoring points.

The Ducks (9-3) enter the game as underdogs, returning to San Antonio’s Alamodome for the second time in three years. Oregon hopes it can repeat the success of 2013, when it emerged victorious over Texas.

TCU (10-2) will have the home field advantage, essentially negating the neutral field by playing in its home state. The Horned Frogs are eighth in the nation in scoring and tenth in yards per play.

Both teams suffered injuries this season that derailed potential playoff runs, so each will look to rally with a win in the Alamo Bowl.

Here are the matchups to watch:

Oregon play calling vs TCU defense

With Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost accepting the UCF head coaching position, one interesting subtext to the game is whether he will be calling the plays. Regardless of who is doing it, the Ducks have to make a statement early by scoring. Falling behind TCU is problematic because it allows things to snowball and forces a team’s offenses out of running its normal plays. Oregon has to maintain a balance between running and passing, and find a way to get the ball into the hands of the playmakers on the field. The Horned Frogs are a defense that gives up plenty of points, so the opportunities will be there.

TCU running backs vs Oregon front seven

The Horned Frogs are better at passing the ball, but against the Ducks, look for them to incorporate the run early to try to catch the defense on its heels since so much of the focus will be on the receivers. TCU averages 218.8 rushing yards per game, and starting running back Aaron Green has had a solid year with 1,171 yards and 10 touchdowns.

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin scans the field in the Horned Frogs’ game against Baylor. (Kelsey Ritchie/ TCU 360)

Players to watch:

Oregon:

Vernon Adams Jr.

It’s been a strange season for Adams, as a finger injury kept him from being able to play the full year. But when he has been on the field, Adams has looked impressive. He leads the nation with a passer rating of 179.57 and has thrown for 2,446 yards and 25 touchdowns.

DeForest Buckner

Buckner has been one of the most talented defensive ends in the nation this season. He has totaled 77 tackles and 9.5 sacks this season en route to winning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

TCU:

Trevone Boykin

Boykin is TCU’s best player. He ranks ninth in passer rating (161.52) and second in total offense per game (380.6) in the nation. He put up 3,575 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. He is also dangerous on the ground, with 612 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. Like Adams, he suffered an injury that forced him to miss some time, but is projected to be fully healthy for the Alamo Bowl.

Josh Doctson

The big question on the minds of TCU fans is whether star receiver Doctson will be able to play. He missed the final two games of the season due to a wrist injury, but if he can suit up, Doctson will should play a crucial role. Boykin’s favorite target had quite the season, with 79 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns.

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On the first possession of the second half of a 79-68 victory over Utah Valley, Oregon women’s basketball got exactly what it had drawn up. The Ducks ran a play that freed up sophomore shooter Lexi Bando in the corner for a wide-open look.

She just missed it.

“Most nights that’s a layup for most people,” Oregon head coach Kelly Graves said.

Even though the Ducks finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field, Graves thought they left a lot of points on the board — something that is uncharacteristic for this team.

Oregon has been one of the nation’s leaders in offensive efficiency this season. In Graves’ second year, the team has averaged 53.5 percent on field goals, vaulting them into first in the Pac-12 and third in the NCAA.

“I am glad we are being efficient,” Graves said. “It’s hard to judge now between this program and that program because everyone’s strength of schedule is a little bit different, so that will all play out in the end.”

The team has seen a huge improvement over what they shot three years ago under former head coach Paul Westhead, when they averaged 39.7 percent from the field. Two current starters, Lexi Petersen and Jillian Alleyne, are holdovers from the Westhead era, and have both seen their shooting percentages jump drastically.

This season, Alleyne is shooting 63.3 percent, up from 55.4, while Petersen has improved from 39.1 to 56.6.

Graves has instilled an offense that stresses finding the open shot. The Ducks are leading the Pac-12 in assists per game, and across the roster, players are willing to pass up shots for better looks from teammates. They work the ball around, allowing the offense to develop while wearing down the defense as it chases the shooters.

“I think we are really ahead of where I thought we would be,” Graves said. “The reality is we have eight new players we are trying to put into this offense, so we are going to make mistakes.”

Yet, the new players have fit nicely into the system, helping Oregon transition seamlessly into its new era.

“Just have great chemistry with all of the girls we are playing with,” Liz Brenner, a senior backup post, said. “Everyone works well off each other and I think the more we play together the better we are.”

The high percentage isn’t just from down in the paint. Oregon has been just as impressive from three-point land. The team is shooting 42.5 percent on three pointers, which is third in the conference and fifth in the nation. This brings a balance to the attack as a team can’t just load up in the paint to force the ball out of Alleyne’s hands.

“I think we are versatile, we have a little bit of everything,” Graves said. “They are smart kids who figured out what their roles are.”

If a bad shooting night for the Ducks is 50 percent from the field, the wins should keep coming for an undefeated squad.

Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur

Seven Oregon football players were honored with Pac-12 football all-Conference team recognitions Tuesday. The honors are voted on by the conference head coaches.

Sophomore running back Royce Freeman and senior offensive lineman Tyler Johnstone were both named on first team offense, while senior defensive lineman DeForest Buckner made first team defense. Sophomore placekicker Aidan Schneider and sophomore Charles Nelson earned spots as first team specialists.

All of the first team selections for Oregon made the list for the first time in their careers.

A pair of Duck receivers, Bralon Addison and Darren Carrington, were named to the second team offense.

Vernon Adams Jr., Alex Balducci, Matt Hegarty and Tyree Robinson were all honorable mentions.

Click here for the complete list.

Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur