The Oregon women’s basketball team learned a lot about itself over the course of the three-day World Vision Invitational tournament.
Specifically, how to deal with a loss.
The Ducks were runners-up in the tournament standings, with wins over Cal State Fullerton (117-69) and Portland State (87-58) and their first loss of the season to Wisconsin (58-57). Oregon’s record now stands at 5-1, but the Badgers provided the blueprint to beat the Ducks.
“Our two hopeful adjustments are, when we get possession of the ball, that we’re going to run it faster because the team is trying to slow the pace,” head coach Paul Westhead said. “Then (we need to) cause turnovers and entice the other team to run when they may not want to.”
Westhead also cited shooting woes in Saturday’s contest as a contributing factor. The Ducks are shooting 43.0 percent from the floor this season, including 32.6 percent from the three-point line; against the Badgers, Oregon shot 36.5 percent and 29.2 percent, respectively.
“You have to make shots,” Westhead said.
Adding insult to injury, the Ducks thought they had the game won. A Taylor Lilley three-pointer with four seconds remaining put the Ducks up 57-56 and Wisconsin failed to score before the buzzer. But a referee’s inadvertent whistle gave the Badgers the ball with 1.6 seconds remaining, and center Lin Zastrow’s layup beat the buzzer.
“It was really disappointing, just because it was so close,” forward Nicole Canepa said. “Coach said, ‘You’re going to win some in the end (and) you’re going to lose some in the end’ … I guess it’s kind of a lesson to be learned. We know in our hearts that we should have won that game.”
Canepa, a junior from San Francisco, has been on a tear since the season began. She and Lilley each lead the Ducks in scoring (14.8 points per game) and is second to Amanda Johnson with 8.2 rebounds per game. The Pacific-10 Conference bestowed its Player of the Week award on her on Nov. 23, making Canepa the first Duck to receive the honor since Tamika Nurse in 2007.
“It was definitely an honor,” Canepa said.
An honor made more impressive by the fact that Canepa has not started any of the Ducks’ six games. That does not mean, however, that she isn’t receiving attention from the coaches.
“I’m very pleased with Nicole Canepa,” Westhead said. “She’s played terrific for us. I don’t hesitate at all to get her in. In fact, if at a certain point in the game, we haven’t put her in, I catch myself and say, ‘I’ve got to get Nicole in.’”
Westhead told reporters Tuesday that he is not set on his playing rotations, but Canepa is set on letting her play dictate her minutes.
“My role regardless is whatever Coach feels is best for me. Sixth man, that’s fine with me,” she said. “I don’t really care if I start. I don’t really care if I come off the bench.”
With two games over the next three days, Westhead gave the Ducks Monday off. The rest was welcomed by the players, who will have played five games over eight days.
“I’m actually feeling really good,” guard Micaela Cocks said. “I think coach manages the subs really well. Tori (Noda), our trainer, is doing a great job with treatment.”
The Portland Pilots (3-2) enter McArthur Court today on a three-game winning streak, with two potent scorers in center Lauren Angel (13.2 points per game) and guard Laiken Dollente (12.8 points per game).
“The scouting report says they like to run,” Westhead said, with a knowing smile. “That’s good news if we’re up for the hunt.”
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