Hebard powers Oregon into first-ever Elite Eight; UConn next up

March 25, 2017

Ruthy Hebard basketball

Ruthy Hebard

Ruthy Hebard of Fairbanks collected two rebounds, two free throws and a steal in the final two minutes to help the No. 10 Oregon Ducks beat No. 3 seed Maryland 77-63 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The 6-foot-4 starting forward finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes.

Hebard, of West Valley High fame, played in Alaska’s March Madness a year ago.

Now she’s part of the NCAA’s March Madness and will face 4-time defending national champion Connecticut.

Yes, that UConn.

The Huskies have won 110 games in a row and redefined the way people look at women’s basketball.

This will be Hebard’s first look at UConn up close and personal.

The freshman has been a key contributor in helping the Ducks reach the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.

Hebard leads Oregon in scoring [15.0], rebounding [8.7], field-goal percentage [.593] and steals [49] in 36 games.