The Oregon Ducks' run at the 3x3 World Cup ended in the quarterfinals Tuesday.

After completing pool play undefeated the U.S. team, comprised of four Ducks teammates, lost 17-14 to Italy in the round of eight at the FIBA basketball tournament in the Philippines. Italy would go on to beat Russia in the tournament title game, 16-12.

Ruthy Hebard, voted college basketball's top power forward last season, and Sabrina Ionescu, its top point guard and UO's first consensus All-American, led the U.S. with five points apiece in the quarterfinal loss. Oti Gildon added three points and Erin Boley one.

"We started out pretty slow and then just couldn't get our rhythm," Hebard said in a news release. "Italy is a great team, they have really good guards - respect to them and of course we're really bummed.

"I don't think Italy did anything defensively that was different, we just didn't play the best game and we should have come out a little more ready."

The loss ended a remarkable run by the Ducks, who had gone undefeated in winning the U.S. 3-on-3 championship in April before winning a tournament in France earlier this month that served as a World Cup warm-up. The Ducks had entered a team in the U.S. championships without any expectations of playing in the Philippines because USA Basketball already had its World Cup team -- made of up four collegiate all-stars -- pre-selected. But after a perfect 8-0 run in Colorado, the Ducks' play persuaded the organization to change its plan and send the UO teammates overseas, where they faced teams of professionals.

Oregon coach Kelly Graves called it a "heckuva run" after the loss to Italy.

"This was a great experience," Hebard said. "We shared a lot of time and I think it was great to be able to travel with your college teammates. Individually, we grew.

"... We grew, we thought we could do better and we learned individually what we can do in the offseason and hopefully we'll get invited back and get gold medal next year."

Darn—heckuva run @usab3x3 but met a better team in the qtrs in Italy. Finish 16-2 (I believe) in 3 tournaments. By far the youngest team at the World Championships—we are proud & thankful! 🇺🇸🐥 — Kelly Graves (@GoDucksKG) June 12, 2018

-- Andrew Greif

agreif@oregonian.com