SEATTLE — Oregon hit a pair of free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining to upset the No. 11 University of Washington women's basketball team 70-69 in the Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinal on Friday (March 3) in front of a sold-out crowd at KeyArena.
Washington's shot at the buzzer from the top of the key was partially blocked as sixth-seeded Oregon (20-12) advanced to Saturday's semifinal against second-seeded and No. 10-ranked Stanford (26-5).
Senior Kelsey Plum finished with 34 points as she became just the third player in NCAA history to reach 1,000 points in a single season in the game. Chantel Osahor, the nation's leading rebounder, added 12 points, six assists and a new Pac-12 Tournament record 27 rebounds for the third-seeded Huskies (27-5).
Freshman Aarion McDonald added 10 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists.
As a team, the Huskies shot 42.6-percent from the floor compared to Oregon's 40.0-percent. Washington also outrebounded the Ducks, 40-38.
Plum's three-pointer to open the fourth quarter put Washington up 60-51, but Oregon's Lexi Bando scored 11-straight points to fuel a 15-4 run that put the Ducks ahead 66-64 with 4:18 remaining.
With 3:05 left in the game, Osahor converted a three-point play to put the Huskies back on top 69-66, but Oregon answered with a jumper with 1:19 remaining to pull to within one, 69-68.
After trailing 32-31 at the half, Washington went on a 9-0 run midway through the third quarter to take a 48-41 lead and led by six heading into the final quarter.
Plum opened the fourth quarter with a three to give Washington its biggest lead of the game, 60-51. Oregon then went on a 10-0 run to reclaim the lead 66-64 with 4:18 remaining.
Washington will now await the NCAA Selection Show next Monday (March 13).