Ellyce Ironmonger found room inside for the jumper down low.
On the next possession, she found Kaela Chapdelaine for a wide-open three-pointer.
The first two plays of the second half illustrated what coach Bev Smith wants from the Oregon women’s basketball team – an emphasis on going inside and then passing it out for open looks.
Oregon (4-2) adhered to that philosophy in the second half and it made the difference in Oregon’s 66-45 win Thursday night against Long Beach State (1-4) before 2,188 fans at McArthur Court.
“Our first half execution again was just what it needs to be in terms of establishing our presence, establishing our tempo, establishing our game,” Smith said.
With Oregon’s posts, namely Nicole Canepa, scoring effectively inside, it opened up the Ducks offense and the Ducks responded by making six of their 10 three-point attempts in the second half compared to one of six in the first. The defense of Long Beach State took away Canepa’s comfort zone with her left shoulder and she adjusted. She completed an up and under move with a lay-up and the foul. She made a turn-around jumper.
“In the second half, we were more consistent in running our plays and looking for the open person,” said Canepa, who had 14 points and six rebounds. “I think our post players were posting up really strong.”
Oregon turned a seven point halftime lead, 25-18, into a 14-point advantage, 39-25, with a 14-7 run to open the second half.
The slow starts in the first half are a concern and might lead to tinkering with the starting lineup by switching point guard Tamika Nurse to the shooting guard position and Micaela Cocks to the point, Smith said.
Oregon made a late change Thursday and inserted Cocks in the starting lineup at the shooting guard spot in place of Taylor Lilley, who has been bothered by pain in her lower legs.
Cocks gave the Ducks offense 11 points, including 2 of 5 from three-point range, and Lilley played 20 minutes in a reserve role. Lilley made two three-pointers in the second half, part of her eight point night, and will be available for Oregon’s next game Sunday at Portland, Smith said.
“It was nice to see her shot singe the net as it usually has and I think that’s going to be good for us in the long run,” Smith said.
Chapdelaine had her usual stat line of late with 10 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
“I’ll always say to the end of days – defense and rebounding is totally controllable,” Chapdelaine said. “The effort you bring to the floor that should be a consistent thing and that’s asked of me. I’m disappointed when I don’t bring it. I would hope at least some of that shows up on the stat sheet.”
[email protected]