Jasmin Holliday scored four points in the final two minutes, and Oregon’s women’s basketball team edged visiting Illinois 77-74 Friday night at Matthew Knight Arena.
After a slow start, Oregon found its groove in the latter stages of the first half, and built a 49-33 halftime lead. However, the Ducks seemed to fatigue in the second half, and were passed by the Illini midway through. The teams traded the lead in the game’s final 10 minutes, before Holliday made a pair of free throws with 1:51 remaining to put Oregon ahead 72-71, then drained a short jumper from the right baseline with 44 seconds left to give the Ducks a 75-72 lead.
Illinois scored on its next possession to cut Oregon’s advantage to 75-74, but Duck forward Amanda Johnson made a pair of free throws with 18 seconds remaining, and the Illini failed to convert a three-pointer to tie the game as time expired.
Oregon improved to 2-0 with the victory, while Illinois fell to 2-2.
Johnson led the Ducks with 31 points on 12-21 shooting and 11 rebounds, and Holliday added 16 points and 11 boards, while Kersten Magrum (24 points, 12 rebounds), and Amber Moore (22 points) had productivce nights for the Illini.
Oregon will return to action at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday when they host Portland State.