Ionescu's triple-double leads No. 3 Ducks over Colorado

Boulder, Colo. (AP) Sabrina Ionescu had 24 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the No. 3 Oregon Ducks over the Colorado Buffaloes 101-53 on Saturday.

It was her 23rd career triple-double and fifth of the season in just 27 minutes. With the Ducks leading by 41 after three quarters Ionescu sat out the final 10 minutes.

Ionescu has been grieving the loss of friend Kobe Bryant, who died along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other passengers in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Ionescu has not talked publicly since the tragedy but did post a message to Bryant on Instagram on Saturday morning, thanking him for his friendship and for mentoring her through basketball and life.

She was working on a triple-double in Saturday's first half with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists. She had just nine rebounds entering the last minute of the third quarter and grabbed her 10th with 31 seconds left in the period.

Satou Sabally added 17 points, Minyon Moore had 15 and Ruthy Hebard added 10.

Oregon (19-2, 9-1 Pac-12) showed no signs of overlooking the Buffaloes ahead of its top-five showdown at Connecticut on Monday night. The Ducks haven't faced the Huskies since the 2017 NCAA Tournament, a 38-point win for UConn, and looked sharp in their tuneup for Monday.

Emma Clarke scored 18 and Mya Hollingshed added 11 for Colorado (14-7, 3-7).

The Buffaloes hit a 3-pointer 16 seconds into the game to take the lead but the Ducks scored 21 of the next 23 points to take the drama out of it early. Oregon led 31-11 after the first quarter and 52-22 at halftime.

The Ducks shot 62.5 percent in the first half and held Colorado to 25-percent shooting in the first 20 minutes.

BIG PICTURE

Oregon: The Ducks have rolled over opponents this season, winning by double digits in 17 of their 19 wins. Only twice in 10 Pac-12 games has Oregon failed to win by 10 or more points.

Colorado: The Buffaloes were lost both games to the Ducks by an average of 53 points and have found the conference schedule much tougher than the preseason. Colorado went unbeaten in 11 games prior to starting the Pac-12 slate but has dropped seven of its last nine.

UP NEXT

Oregon: At No. 4 UConn on Monday night.

Colorado: At Washington State on Friday night.