The first round of the 2025 NCAA tournament has continued to hold some fire, as Oregon defeated Vanderbilt 77-73 in a thrilling overtime win. The Commodores forced overtime with a late second-half push, after the Ducks led by as many as 19 points earlier in the half.
Oregon held a slim two-point lead in the final 30 seconds of regulation. But after a few missed free throws, Vanderbilt guard Leilani Kapinus — who was playing off the Commodores’ bench — hit a perfectly-timed game-tying layup.
Oregon had a chance to get the win, but Sofia Bell’s buzzer-beating three-pointer fell just short, and the game headed to overtime.
Things remained tight in the extra period, but the tide turned in the final minute, when star Commodores freshman Mikayla Blakes and Kapinus fouled out. Khamil Pierre, who was the team’s second-leading scorer with 17 points, fouled out near the end of the fourth quarter, leaving three key Vanderbilt players on the bench.
With the score at 75-73, Oregon guard Peyton Scott had a chance for four free throws after being fouled twice in a row; while Scott missed the first two throws, she nailed the next two to make it a two-score game with five seconds left. Although the Commodores had one more possession left, they fell just short of the win.
Blakes, prior to fouling out, had another excellent night, scoring a game-high 26 points. Seniors Ducks guard Deja Kelly led Oregon with 20 points and eight rebounds.
The Ducks will now face the winner of Duke-Lehigh, who play later on Friday, in the Round of 32 on Sunday.
