University of Oregon
10-4, 1-2
Washington State
2-13, 0-3
Mac Court Magic Prevails
01/07/11 | Women's Basketball
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EUGENE – Oregon used a little Mac Court magic on Thursday night, recovering from a double-figure deficit as junior point guard Nia Jackson took over the game down the stretch and steered the Ducks to a 77-72 victory over Washington State.
Jackson was responsible for Oregon's (10-4, 1-2) last eight points of the game as the Seattle native helped the Ducks maintain their lead for good after converting a lay-up that gave UO a 69-67 lead with 2:55 left.
Jackson finished the game just one point shy of her season high, pouring in 22 points and matching her career high with eight rebounds while adding four assists and five steals.
With the game knotted at 70-70, Oregon junior guard Ashley Buis struggled to maintain possession for UO, but alertly kicked the ball out to an awaiting Jackson nearly six feet behind the 3-point line. With the clock running down to zero, Jackson drained a long distance trey that buried the Cougars (2-13, 0-3).
Washington State missed back-to-back 3-pointers on its next possession, but guard April Cook was able to get the offensive rebound and putback. Jackson was then steady at the line, knocking down all four of her attempts over the final eight seconds of the game.
Washington State's Jazmine Perkins led all scorers with 24 points, knocking down six 3-pointers, the most an individual player has recorded against the Ducks this season.
The Cougars totaled 10 three-pointers for the game, matching an Oregon opponent season high.
For the third consecutive game, Oregon senior forward Nicole Canepa reached double figures, scoring a season-high 16 points off the bench on 5-of-5 shooting. The San Francisco native added seven rebounds.
Junior forward Amanda Johnson added 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals for Oregon, while Jasmin Holliday recorded a game-high 10 rebounds and added a career-high six assists.
Sage Romberg scored 13 points off the bench for the Cougars with three 3-pointers, while Carly Noyes finished the game with 13 points and eight rebounds in the paint.
The teams combined to attempt 61 three-pointers, eclipsing last year's record of 59 set in Pullman, but four short of the record set against Sacramento State on Nov. 28, 2010.
Oregon scored 20 second-chance points off 19 offensive rebounds, while the Ducks also scored 22 points off WSU's 21 turnovers. The Ducks' bench outscored the Cougars' reserves 25-17.
Oregon trailed 62-50 with 9:38 left in the game, but the Ducks managed to hold WSU scoreless for over three minutes as the Ducks regained the momentum with a 13-0 run that gave UO the lead, 63-62, after a Kristi Fallin 3-pointer with 6:10 to play.
Freshman Danielle Love and Johnson nailed 3-pointers within 11 second of one another after a Jackson steal gave Oregon possession again as part of the Ducks' 13-0 run.
The Ducks went to the free-throw line a season-high 30 times, and converted 20 of those attempts. Oregon shot 33.8 percent (24-of-71) from the floor, while Washington State shot 37.0 percent (27-of-73).
Oregon trailed by the narrow margin of 39-37 at halftime, led by 10 points off the bench from Canepa.
The Ducks were outrebounded 29-26, but used 12 offensive rebounds to score 18 points.
Perkins led Washington State with 14 first-half points after knocking down four first-half 3-pointers. The Cougars actually drained seven first half treys with two coming from Romberg, who scored 10 points off the bench.
Oregon returns to McArthur Court Saturday afternoon for a 2 p.m. game against Washington. It will mark the final basketball at Mac Court, as the Ducks are set to play their first game at Matthew Knight Arena on Sunday, Jan. 23 in Civil War action against Oregon State.
The Ducks have an all-time record of 335-126 at Mac Court and hold a 25-13 record against Washington in Eugene.
UO's senior class is 3-0 against the Huskies at Mac Court.
PROMOTIONS
Oregon fans who were able to obtain Jerry's Home Improvement Throwback T-shirts on Thursday night, are asked to wear the yellow tees to Saturday's game against the Huskies.
Saturday will be Throwback Night at The Pit with free sweatbands given to the first 100 students through the doors. Free popcorn will be handed out to the first 150 fans while commemorative cups will be available at the concession stands.
All Mac Court staff will be dressed representing different decades at McArthur Court, and the cheer squad and The Duck will also be in throwback attire. Fans will be able to pick up a $5 off coupon at any Eugene/Springfield BI-Mart, Carl's Jr., and Oregon Community Credit Union location.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE, calling 1-800-WEB-FOOT, or in person at the Casanova Center ticket office. Tickets can also be purchased at the McArthur Court ticket window 90 minutes prior to game time. The doors to Mac Court open 60 minutes prior to tip.
Notes: Nia Jackson extended her double-figure scoring streak to 15 games dating back to last season, and recorded her third 20-point effort of the year… Nicole Canepa scored her 700th career point in the first half, draining a pair of free throws with 56 seconds remaining in the opening frame…the senior finished with 16 points, her third-straight game in double figures and fourth double digit scoring effort in the last five games… Amanda Johnson (14 points) reached double figures for the 13th time this season (46th career)…Jasmin Holliday set a new career high with six assists recorded her second double-figure rebounding game of the season… UO went on a 13-0 run in a span of 3:31 to turn a 62-50 deficit into a 63-62 lead with 6:07 to play…the Ducks outscored the Cougars, 27-10 over the final 9:38 to secure the victory…Oregon's 30 free throw attempts was a new season high…Jazmine Perkins six 3-pointer is the most an opponent has scored against UO this season.
