PORTLAND – Every time the Oregon women’s basketball team pulled within a basket, the Portland women’s basketball team had an answer.
The final defensive stop or go-ahead basket eluded Oregon in a 78-74 loss Sunday afternoon to host Portland at the Chiles Center.
Oregon trailed by as many as 15 point points in the first half, but although the Ducks pulled within one three times in the second half and were still within three in the closing minute, they couldn’t overcome 27 turnovers.
“I like this team because they will always give you a chance to win the game,” coach Bev Smith said. “But you take too much energy trying to get back that lead that you lost in those first 10-to-15 minutes.”
Oregon’s leading scorer Nicole Canepa struggled with foul trouble throughout – a continuing theme for the freshman – playing just 13 minutes and going scoreless.
In her absence, Oregon relied on the post play of Ellyce Ironmonger and Victoria Kenyon. Ironmonger, who made 8-of-14 shots for 18 points, formed a potent tag-team with Kenyon as the freshmen often found each other for open looks.
Kenyon overcame any nervousness she had in the season’s first couple games and followed up her 15-minute night against Long Beach State last Thursday with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and seven turnovers in 22 minutes – the most she has played this season.
“She gave us some energy,” Smith said. “She gave us some confidence in that four position. She got some boards. She got some scores off penetration. She played very instinctively.
“The downside to that is some turnovers that she had but I really liked how she came in.”
Guard Taylor Lilley was still dealing with the effects of muscle pain in her lower right leg but led Oregon with 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting.
“A lot of people can look and say ‘Well, she’s not like she was last year,’” Smith said. “We’re not like we were last year. We don’t have an Eleanor Haring who’s a go-to player who takes some of that pressure away from Taylor.
“Now she’s kind of our go-to (player) and so we have to continually try and establish that inside game so that we can create some breathing room for Taylor on the outside and until that happens she’s going to have to find ways to score and she will because she has that mentality.”
Lilley’s teammate, Kaela Chapdelaine, was dealing with back pain, and had nine points and five assists while also dealing with foul trouble.
Oregon held a brief one-point lead, 11-10, until Portland’s offense ignited with a 12-0 run and led 22-11. Portland extended its lead to 32-17 on a free throw by Laiken Dollente, who had a game-high 21 points.
Lilley sparked a 9-0 run to close the half with a three-pointer and a lay-up that helped bring the Ducks within six, 34-28, at halftime.
Oregon threatened in the second half, but each time it was answered by Portland, often on an inside bucket by Allyson Sievers or a long distance shot from Dollente.
“We’re pretty good at staying composed and maintaining the lead,” Portland forward Laura Thomas said.
Oregon has a week off until it returns to Portland to play UC-Santa Barbara at the Rose Garden next Saturday.
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