After more than a month of fourth-quarter collapses, too-little, too-late comebacks, and missed opportunities for big wins, the Oregon women’s basketball team finally got it done on the road versus No. 16 Maryland.

The Ducks (17-7, 5-6 Big Ten), trailing by six heading to the fourth quarter, outscored the Terrapins (17-6, 5-6) by 13 points in the final frame thanks to a Herculean 26-point, 11-rebound effort from Ehis Etute and a trio of late 3-pointers from Sofia Bell to pick up the crucial 68-61 win.

“They really stepped up when they needed to,” coach Kelly Graves told KUGN postgame. “Those stops late in the game in those last couple of minutes … we’ve been in games like this before and we haven’t always finished them. It was great to finally finish one tonight.”

Etute was the guiding force for UO all game, shooting 10 for 15 from the field and taking advantage of a Terps squad that she said might’ve not fully respected her game.

“I feel like a lot of the time they might’ve just left me open and underestimated me because they didn’t really do a good job of defending us in the beginning,” Etute told Big Ten Network postgame. “Inside especially. And we took advantage of that as much as we could. My teammates found me and I think that’s how it worked.”

Etute was the driving force. But Bell came up with the huge plays late to preserve the win, hitting three long balls in a row in the waning moments of the fourth quarter to help the Ducks claw out of a deficit and take a six-point lead with just over a minute remaining.

Though the Terrapins later pulled within two points, key free throws and defensive stops in the closing seconds earned Oregon the road win.

Bell didn’t sub out the entire second half and was the primary defender on Maryland’s Oluchi Okananwa, who scored a game-high 27 points but had just four in the second half.

“She’s really our anchor, certainly the defensive anchor,” Graves said of Bell.

Oregon held sharpshooters Saylor Poffenbarger and Yarden Garzon to just five total points and a dismal 2-for-12 shooting from the field, which Graves credited to assistant coach Jodie Berry.

The Ducks will hope to build on the win next week when it heads home for a Wednesday game against Illinois, a team receiving votes in the major polls.

“What an effort,” Graves said. “It’s in their minds, too, some of these close games. It’s in their minds. They overcame. I’m proud of them and happy for them.”

Live Updates from the Game

Oregon 68, No. 16 Maryland 61 is the final

The Oregon women’s basketball team finally broke through in a close game, upsetting No. 16 Maryland 66-61 on the road for its biggest win of the season to date. Ehis Etute had a monster 26-point, 11-rebound double-double while Sofia Bell’s trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter helped the Ducks come back for the win.

Katie Fiso drills two free throws to give Ducks two-possession lead

The sophomore guard drilled a pair of free throws to give Oregon a 65-61 lead with 24.4 seconds left. Maryland has possession after another timeout.

Oregon 63, Maryland 61 with 26 seconds left

The Ducks led by six with just over a minute to play, but Maryland has pulled it within a bucket with 26 seconds to go, trailing 63-61. Oregon has possession and took a timeout.

Oregon 61, Maryland 57 with two minutes left

Installing a full-court press, the Terrapins are on a short 3-0 run and trail the Ducks, 61-57, with two minutes to play. Oregon will likely have to deal with the press for the rest of the game as it looks for a signature road win.

Sofia Bell hits third-straight 3-pointer to give Ducks 61-54 lead with 2:39 left

The junior guard is on fire. Bell has hit three 3-pointers in a row in the fourth quarter to give the Ducks a 61-54 lead with 2:39 to play. Bell has 14 points and has hit four 3-pointers and is helping Oregon dominate the fourth quarter, 17-4, so far.

Sofia Bell gives Ducks late lead over No. 16 Maryland

The junior guard drilled a 3-pointer to give Oregon a 55-54 lead with 5:40 to play in the game. Bell has eight points.

Ehis Etute keeping Ducks in the mix

With the rest of the team struggling, sophomore Ehis Etute has put the Ducks on her back in the fourth quarter. The forward has a career-best 22 points and counting with 11 rebounds as Oregon trails No. 16 Maryland 50-48 with 7:55 to go in the game.

No. 16 Maryland 50, Oregon 44 heading to fourth quarter

The Ducks will face a 6-point deficit heading into the final 10 minutes, trailing No. 16 Maryland 50-44. The Terrapins continue to shoot poorly outside Oluchi Okananwa, who has 26 points, but Oregon is shooting worse. Ehis Etute has 18 points and 11 rebounds but no other Duck has more than six points. Mia Jacobs has just five points on 2 for 10 shooting.

Ehis Etute has career-high in points … in third quarter

The sophomore forward has been a force through two and a half frames for the Ducks with 18 points and 10 rebounds, setting a new career-high in points with nearly 15 minutes still to play.

Oregon trails Maryland 41-40 with 4:45 remaining in the third.

Oluchi Okananwa, No. 16 Maryland 36, Oregon 30 at halftime

The Ducks led by eight in the waning moments of the first half but finished on the wrong end of a 14-0 Terrapins run and trail 36-30 at halftime.

Maryland guard Oluchi Okananwa has 23 points on 10-for-13 shooting while Ehis Etute has 10 points and six boards for the Ducks. Outside Okananwa, the Terrapins are shooting just 5 for 18 for 13 points. Maryland has 12 fastbreak points and 24 points in the paint to Oregon’s 12.

Astera Tuhina lines up the deep 3-pointer

Ducks start second quarter hot

Oregon opened the second quarter on a short run and extended its lead to eight before a brief Maryland comeback. With 4:52 to go in the first half, the Ducks lead the Terrapins 25-21. Ehis Etute has 10 points and five rebounds and is dominating Maryland inside.

Oregon 14, Maryland 13 after one quarter

The Ducks, looking for an upset bid, are leading the No. 16 Terrapins 14-13 after one quarter after an Amina Muhammad putback just before the quarter buzzer.

Both teams are shooting less than 30% from the field. After starting 4 for 5, Maryland has made just one of its last 13 shot attempts and has five turnovers. Ehis Etute has seven points and three rebounds already for the Ducks.

Ehis Etute highlight: Sophomore gets Ducks going

Oregon takes the lead during Maryland drought

The Terrapins haven’t scored in over three minutes and the Ducks have taken advantage. With 4:37 to go in the first quarter, Oregon leads 10-9 and is on a 6-0 run over the last 2:39. Mia Jacobs and Ehis Etute have five points apiece for the Ducks, who have already forced five turnovers.

Oluchi Okananwa scores first nine points for Maryland

The Ducks have gotten off to another tough start and trail the Terrapins, 9-6, with 7:16 to go in the first quarter. Duke transfer Oluchi Okananwa has all nine of Maryland’s points so far.

Oregon vs. Maryland Starters Announced

For Oregon: Guards Katie Fiso (15.3 PPG), Sofia Bell (7.3 PPG) and Ari Long (6.8 PPG) and forwards Mia Jacobs (14 PPG) and Ehis Etute (9.8 PPG).

For Maryland: Guards Addi Mack (11.1 PPG), Saylor Poffenbarger (10.8 PPG), Oluchi Okananwa (16.6 PPG) and Yarden Garzon (13.4 PPG) and forward Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu (8.5 PPG).

Oregon vs. Maryland Picks, Odds, Spread, Over/Under

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Jan. 31

• Spread: Maryland by 6
• Over/under: 145 1/2

Ducks hoping to upset reeling Terrapins

Maryland is in the midst of a three-game losing streak, all against ranked opponents. The last two are home overtime losses to No. 8 Iowa and No. 24 Washington.

Despite the loss of Kaylene Smikle, the Terrapins are still formidable, led by an experienced group. Guard Aluchi Okananwa, a Duke transfer, averages 16.6 points per game while Indiana transfer guard Yarden Garzon averages 13.4 points.

“I do know they’re really good,” Oregon coach Kelly Graves said. “They love the transition game and they’re good on the boards. They really don’t have any glaring weaknesses and they’re playing at home so we’re going to have our work cut out for us.”

Oregon Women’s Basketball Injury Report vs. Maryland

Oregon women’s basketball’s availability report pregame is once again clean heading into a matchup against No. 16 Maryland, with just Elisa Mevius out for the season with an ACL/MCL injury suffered in November. The Terrapins, who have been wracked by injuries this season, are without Rainey Welson (3.2 PPG), Lea Bartelme (6.8 PPG), Kaylene Smikle (13.1 PPG), Ava McKennie (3.7 PPG) and Bri McDaniel.

How to Watch Oregon Women’s Basketball vs. Maryland Today?

• TV channel: Big Ten Network
• Streaming: Fubo (free trial), Sling
• Radio: KUGN (590 AM. 98.1 FM), KMTT (910 AM, Portland), KYKN (1430 AM, Salem)

Oregon vs. Maryland Time Today

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 31
• Start time: 2 p.m. PT
• Location: Xfinity Center; College Park, Maryland

Oregon Women’s Basketball Schedule

Next five games

• Jan. 31 — at Maryland
• Feb. 4 — Illinois
• Feb. 8 — Ohio State
• Feb. 15 — at Washington
• Feb. 19 — Nebraska

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football and women’s basketball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com.