Guard Micaela Cocks scored 22 points, forward Amanda Johnson had 12 points and 15 rebounds and the Oregon Ducks (11-3, 2-0 Pacific-10 Conference) survived a late challenge by Washington State (5-8, 0-2 Pac-10) and won 98-92 Sunday.
The Ducks are off to their best overall start since the 2000-01 season and the best conference start since 2004-05.
“We just really worked hard this game,” point guard Nia Jackson — who set a career high with 20 points, along with seven assists and five steals — told The Register-Guard. “I feel like we all were just really into it.”
The young Cougars, who started three sophomores and two freshmen, kept the game close early by pushing the tempo within their control. Oregon managed a slim halftime lead (51-46), but Washington State persevered and eventually overtook the lead on an April Cook three-pointer. Within a minute, the lead increased to five before Cocks, Jackson and Taylor Lilley took over. Oregon’s starting triumvirate of guards made three critical baskets and five free throws down the stretch to close out the game.
Wazzu guards KiKi Moore and Cook each scored 24 points, while forward Jazmine Perkins had 15 points and six rebounds for the Cougars. Here’s a look at the other games the Ducks played over winter break:
Oregon 82, Washington 71
Taylor Lilley set the career record for three-pointers at 190, hitting eight — and finishing with 33 points, a career high — in helping defeat Washington, 82-71.
Lilley, who set yet another career-high with eight three-pointers, bested Missy Croshaw’s previous record of 109 three-pointers. She also eclipsed the 1,000-point barrier for her career with a layup at the 13:34 mark of the first half.
“She’s a delightful young lady,” Oregon coach Paul Westhead told The Register-Guard. “She’s worked very, very hard her four years. I’m the recipient of a terrific player. I take no credit for her achievements other than keeping her out on the court as long as I can.”
“Taylor Lilley had an exceptional game, and it took that kind of game to beat us,” Huskies coach Tia Jackson said. “She was on fire.”
After all, there was still a game to be played. The Ducks led at halftime, 43-30, before Washington’s 25-10 run in the second half reduced Oregon’s lead to a point. Lilley and Micaela Cocks hit back-to-back three-pointers to quash the rally and swing momentum in the Ducks’ favor.
Cocks had 14 points and five assists for the Ducks, while Huskies forward Mackenzie Argens led Washington with 21 points and nine rebounds.
Utah 89, Oregon 86 (OT)
Kalee Whipple’s three-pointer at the end of regulation forced the Ducks and Utes to play five extra minutes, and Whipple made five free throws in the overtime period as Oregon lost its third game of the season, 89-86.
Guard Janita Badon led the Utes with 29 points and contributed nine rebounds in the effort. Whipple had a double-double (25 points, 10 rebounds) while center Taryn Wicijowski added 23 points.
Amanda Johnson led the Ducks with 20 points and six rebounds, while Taylor Lilley contributed 18 points and four steals in the losing effort.
Oregon 78, Wyoming 66
Micaela Cocks scored 15 of her team-high 17 points in the second half, and the Ducks scored 27 points off 26 Cowgirl turnovers as they stretched a 45-28 halftime lead into a 78-66 victory.
Nia Jackson and Taylor Lilley each scored 14 points for the Ducks, with Lilley missing most of the second half of the contest with an ankle injury. Victoria Kenyon led Oregon on the boards with eight rebounds.
Wyoming guard Aubrey Vandiver had 19 points and 10 rebounds (five offensive) for the Cowgirls, while forward Hilary Carlson added 15 points and 13 rebounds.
No. 25 Georgia Tech 87, Oregon 69
The Ducks’ second loss of the season came at the expense of their first ranked opponent of the season, as the Yellow Jackets made 11 of 12 free throws down the stretch to beat Oregon, 87-69.
Guard Deja Foster’s 21 points and 11 rebounds led the way for Georgia Tech, with forward Brigitte Ardossi contributing 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Micaela Cocks led the way for the Ducks with 19 points, and forward Nicole Canepa came off the bench to score 14 points.
Lilley wins Player of the Week
Taylor Lilley’s scoring outbursts in the Washington series garnered Pac-10 Player of the Week honors.
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