CANCUN ? South Florida's
Shanita Grace led the Bulls in scoring, and late in the game squashed any
chance of an Oregon comeback with
back-to-back three-pointers, as the Bulls prevailed 68-58 on Tuesday at the
Caribbean Classic.
The 5-foot-6 junior guard led South Florida
(8-2) with a game-high 26 points, including 16 in the second half, and 12 of
the Bulls last 18 for the game.
After a Taylor Lilley layup with five minutes left put Oregon
within four of its opponent at 46-50, Grace drained two consecutive
three-pointers to put the Bulls ahead by double digits with 4:05 to go.
Lilley led the Ducks (5-5) with a team-high 14 points, while
freshman Ellyce Ironmonger also reached double figures with 10.
Junior guard Tamika Nurse, who came off the bench instead of
getting the start for the first time this season, scored a season-high 10
points, while dishing out a team-best four assists. Freshman Nicole Canepa
added a game and career-high 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.
Oregon shot
32.2 percent (19-59) from the floor, compared to South Florida's
40.7 percent performance.
Also reaching double figures for the Bulls was Jessica
Lawson with 12 points, and Gianna Messina added 11.
Nurse drained her first basket of the second half, a
three-pointer, to cut South Florida's lead to 39-36 with
11:14 remaining in the second half.
But Oregon would get no closer,
despite Ironmonger heating up in the second period and leading her squad with
eight points in that time frame.
The Ducks trailed 32-23 at the half, despite South
Florida committing 16 fouls in the first period. Oregon
unfortunately was not able to take advantage of all those opportunities,
shooting 7-of-15 (.467) from the line in the first half and 64.0 percent
(16-25) for the game.
Grace led USF with 10 first-half points, as the Bulls shot
45.2 percent from the floor. Lilley led the Ducks in the first-half with eight
points, including two makes from behind the arc, but as a team Oregon
struggled from the floor at 24.1 percent (7-29).
Oregon used
its fifth starting lineup of the season, inserting Micaela Cocks into the point
guard spot. It was Cock's second start of the season.
The Ducks will play Tulsa
tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. PST to close
out their stay at the tournament. Oregon
will take the day off on Thursday and
enjoy its day in the Caribbean.
QUICK QUACKS: The Ducks were without freshman forward Ellie
Manou for the game, she is day-to-day with a foot injury...this is the first time
Oregon has dropped two straight
contests this season.
