Ionescu scores 27 to lead No. 3 Oregon past Saint Mary’s

MORAGA, Calif. (AP) – Sabrina Ionescu scored a season-high 27 points, and No. 3 Oregon beat Saint Mary’s 79-55 on Saturday in the Saint Mary’s Thanksgiving Classic.

Ionescu, a returning All-American point guard who went to high school in nearby Orinda, enjoyed a terrific homecoming weekend. The Ducks (6-0) routed UC Riverside on Friday before cruising by the host Gaels (3-2).

Oregon began the day ranked third in the country in scoring at 95 points per game, and Saint Mary’s at least managed to hold the Ducks below their average.

But the Gaels had no answer for Ionescu, who went 11 for 20 from the floor and had six rebounds and six assists. Satou Sabally added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Ducks, who led 55-42 at the end of three quarters and pulled away in the final period.

Megan McKay led Saint Mary’s with 12 points and Sydney Raggio added 11 points. They each had a team-high 10 rebounds.

Ionescu scored 17 to help the Ducks to a 36-26 lead at the break. Oregon held Saint Mary’s to 31 percent shooting (11 for 35) over the first two quarters.

BIG PICTURE

Oregon: The Ducks showed they can dominate a game even when their high-octane offense isn’t clicking on all cylinders.

Saint Mary’s: The Gaels showed they can play respectably against a national power, but they simply weren’t hitting enough shots from the perimeter to put pressure on Oregon.

UP NEXT

Oregon is off until a Dec. 2 home game against Long Beach State.

Saint Mary’s plays on the road Thursday at UC Santa Barbara.

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