Oregon Daily Emerald Sports Editor. Peter Hockaday peterhockaday@dailyemerald.com Monday, February 17,2003 Sports Best bet NBA: New York at Portland 7 p.m., Fox Sports Civil War Ducks dominate Beavers in rivalries OSU threatens, but UO prevails The Ducks avoid a repeat of the early-season Civil War by hanging on to beat the Beavers at McArthur Court Women’s basketball Jesse Thomas Sports Reporter The Oregon women’s basketball team would not be denied Saturday afternoon in its return to McArthur Court, as the Ducks triumphed over Oregon State, 68-58. Saturday marked the 70th Civil War meeting between the Ducks and Beavers. After an early-season loss to Oregon State, the Ducks were not about to let the Beavers come into their house and show them up. The Beavers led the contest only once, right after tip-off, but didn’t again take charge en route to the Duck victory. “This was a huge game because I didn’t get to play in the first game,” junior Kayla Steen said. “Everyone wanted it bad enough and we came out and started a great three-game win ning streak.” It was a strong start for Oregon (10-13, 6-8 Pac-10) to its three-game homestand. It was a battle on both sides for the en tire 40 minutes, and, as with the past, the game went down to the wire. The Ducks came out of the locker room for the second half with a strong advantage, leading 36-24. Freshman Carolyn Ganes made two quick free throws for Oregon and things looked to be right on track. But the Beavers had other plans, and with just more than five minutes gone, they were right back in it after a 14-2 run brought the game to 40-38. After a quick time out, Oregon turned things around, and didn’t allow a repeat of what happened in Corvallis earlier this season. Oregon State immediately had some tough breaks, as juniors Hollye Chapman and Brina Chaney picked up their third fouls, causing them to sit on the bench. “One of the things we did not do in the first game was attack their inside players,” Oregon head coach Bev Smith said. “The important thing was to get the ball inside, to penetrate inside and if you are aggressive, you will be rewarded with some fouls.” The Oregon offense found its rhythm again and the Ducks led 51-42 with just more than 10 minutes to play. The Beavers again weathered the storm and after a time out with 2:21 left to play, Oregon State trailed 61-58. It looked as if the Beavers could rally, but with just more than a minute left, Chapman was double-teamed in the post, forcing her to lose the ball out of bounds to Oregon. Turn to Women's, page 10 Adam Amato Emerald Cathrine Kraayeveld (33) played 23 minutes in herfirst game back from a staph infection. UO big men hassle Ricci in blowout A horde of Oregon post players frustrate the Beavers’ top scorer as the Ducks continue their Civil War dominance in Gill Coliseum Men’s basketball Adam jude Senior Sports Reporter CORVALLIS — Ernie Kent needed so many guvs to stop Phillip Ricci that the Oregon head coach almost had to start his own draft in the middle of the game. It took more than 1,200 pounds and 20 fouls from Oregon’s five post players, but the Ducks were able to contain Ricci, Oregon State’s senior forward, and in do ing so, win their ninth straight game over Oregon State on Saturday. The Ducks (17-5 overall, 7-5 Pacific 10 Conference) had one of their better team efforts of the season before 10,400 at Gill Coliseum and held Ricci, the Beavers’ top scorer and rebounder, to nine points and five rebounds in an 80 63 victory. The first sold-out crowd at Gill Colise um since Jan. 8, 2000 — also against the Ducks — saw Oregon win for the 19th time in the past 20 Civil Wars. The Ducks last lost to the Beavers on Jan. 30,1999. Three Ducks scored in double figures Saturday, led by Luke Ridnour’s 18 points and nine assists. Ridnour con nected on all four of his free throw at tempts to set the conference record with 51 consecutive free throws made; the previous mark was 49. “That was the best defense we’ve played in six or eight weeks,” Kent said. “This team is starting to come right now.” The Beavers (11-10, 4-8), meanwhile, have lost three straight. They shot a sea son-low 30 percent from the field, while the Ducks shot 45.5 percent and hit Turn to Men's, page 10 Kraayeveld sparks Ducks in return from injury The formerly-injured Duck star plays 23 minutes and grabs a team-high nine rebounds in the win over Oregon State Women’s basketball Hank Hager Sports Reporter Gathrine Kraayeveld sat down after Satur day’s 68-58 victory over Oregon State and said, “I actually feel pretty good.” That’s a pretty phenomenal statement from a player who had been out of action since Dec. 26 and returned to the court when the Beavers visited McArthur Court — almost two months later. Kraayeveld played 23 minutes, scored sev en points and grabbed a team-high nine re bounds, including six on the defensive side of the ball. So much for her sitting out the rest of the season because of a now-subsided staph in fection in her right knee. “We didn’t know what we’d get out of her,” Oregon head coach Bev Smith said. “But we knew we’d get something.” Kraayeveld entered the game at 13:47 of the first half, bringing most of the 5,031 fans to their feet. “I was trying to be serious,” said Kraayeveld, who added that she was trying to keep a smile from forming on her face. “It was exciting to get out there again. The fans really gave me a boost on that.” The Ducks immediately tried to get the 6 foot-4-inch forward the ball. However, Alissa Edwards’ first pass to the junior sailed wide and out of bounds. Four minutes later, Kraayeveld brought her rehabilitation full circle with a made free throw, her first point since Dec. 22 against Texas Christian. Kraayeveld scored five points in 11 minutes of play in the first half but grabbed just two re bounds, neither coming offensively. However, one play defined her play in the first stanza. With Oregon State’s Brina Chaney — who demoralized the Ducks for eight blocks earlier this season in Corvallis — set to score in the paint at 3:42 of the half, Kraayeveld came swooping down and emphatically kept her from completing the play. “She gave us moments of brilliance,” Smith said. “Cathrine is an unbelievable basketball player.” With 11 minutes under her belt, questions arose as to how much time Kraayeveld would get in the second half. After all, the Ducks had a 12-point lead at halftime, so how much time would she play on the floor? That was quickly answered at the 16:56 mark, after Oregon State pulled to within six. “It was just a matter of how I felt and staying in there as long as possible,” Kraayeveld said. The Kirkland, Wash, native played 12 minutes in the second half and, at one point, played seven straight as the game was winding down. Smith kept her in the game for the final minute as well. Kraayeveld, who had decided on Wednesday she would be able to play, pulled in a key rebound with 40 seconds left. Game, set, match: Oregon. After the contest, there was no shortage of amazement from her performance, although her teammates were not all that surprised at what she had just done, not to mention the impact it had on the players themselves. “Having Cathrine back, right there, is a mo tivation in itself,” sophomore Kedzie Gunder son said. “She’s fun to play with. She does everything for us.” “It was awesome to have her back,” Ed wards said. “It gave us a boost and helps us to have her back.” The Ducks hope that boost propels them toward the Pacific-10 Conference Tourna ment. With just four games left against the rest of the conference, time is dwindling for Oregon to pull itself out of a season-long con ference slump. “Every day we’re getting better,” Gunder son said. “Everything is falling into place. I think in the next four games, we’ve got to play tough.” Contact the sports reporter at hankhager@dailyemerald.com.