In the penultimate game at McArthur Court, a dramatic, come-from-behind 77-72 win over Washington State, the Oregon women’s basketball team came up with a bit of “Mac Court Magic,” according to coach Paul Westhead.
It might have been more accurate to label the Ducks’ late game heroics “Nia Jackson Magic.”
With the score tied at 70 and less than one minute left in regulation, Oregon was in the midst of a sloppy offensive set. No Duck was able to locate an open shot, and for one of the first times in recent memory, it appeared as if the Ducks would be guilty of a shot clock violation, giving Washington State an opportunity to steal the win.
That’s when Jackson got the ball, six feet behind the men’s three-point line, and let go a prayer.
It went in.
“I got the ball, knew time was running out (on the shot clock) and just tried to shoot it and follow through and it went in, so I was happy,” Jackson said.
Jackson’s basket gave the Ducks a 73-70 lead. After Washington State made a layup to trim the lead to one point, Jackson made four consecutive free throws in the final seconds to ice Oregon’s first Pacific-10 conference victory.
Jackson, who scored the last 10 points of the game for Oregon (10-4, 1-2 Pac-10), finished with a team-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds.
“Nia Jackson stepped up when we needed her,” Westhead said. “That’s the kind of game that she’s capable of and that’s the kind of game that this team needs.”
Jackson did have help. Center Nicole Canepa was superb off the bench, scoring a season-high 16 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting.
“I think this is the third game in a row that we’ve got quality basketball out of Nicole Canepa,” Westhead said. “Tonight she delivered again.”
Amanda Johnson was the other Duck in double figures with 14 points, and forward Jasmin Holliday added seven points to go along with 10 rebounds.
For most of the game, however, Oregon was outplayed by a Washington State (2-13, 0-2 Pac-10) team that entered play on a six-game losing streak.
Led by Cougar guard Jazmine Perkins, who made six three pointers en route to a 24 point outburst, Washington State built up a 12 point lead, 62-50, with 9:38 left, and looked to be in control.
But in a little over three minutes time, Oregon came back on a 13-0 run to gain a 63-62 lead. The teams then traded baskets until the final moments when Jackson put the game away for Oregon.
“It’s been in our past that when we’re down 10 or more we’ll roll over and let the team keep getting ahead,” Canepa said. “Today we just really didn’t give up, and we just needed that momentum change and we got it.”
For the game, Oregon shot 33.8 percent form the field to Washington State’s 37 percent. The Ducks shot 34.6 percent from three-point range.
The teams both grabbed 49 rebounds, and Washington State committed 21 turnovers to Oregon’s 20. The biggest statistical disparity came in free throws — Oregon made 20 out of its 30 attempts while the Cougars made only eight of 13.
The Ducks now shift their focus to Saturday, when they are scheduled to host Washington at 2 p.m. in the final game at Mac Court.
Westhead hopes his team gives the building a fitting send-off.
“I feel for me as a coach and for our team a heavy responsibility to do something for the 84 years of the men and women playing here for the University of Oregon,” Westhead said. “I wouldn’t say the burden is a must-win, but it’s a must give every ounce of effort you have.”
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Ducks defeat Cougars for first Pac-10 win
Daily Emerald
January 6, 2011
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