University of Oregon
1-0
Cal Poly
0-1
Oregon Edges Cal Poly, 102-93, in Season Opener
11/14/11 | Women's Basketball
Oregon had to convert seven free throws down the stretch in the final minute of the second half to pull away from the Mustangs in both clubs' season opener. Junior Laura Stanulis had five of those free throws while freshman Jordan Loera and Holliday added the last two.
In addition to Holliday's 24, four other Ducks posted double figures. Senior Amanda Johnson recorded the 21st double-double of her career with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while senior Nia Jackson poured in 18 points after shooting a nearly-perfect 10-of-11 from the charity stripe.
Stanulis earned career highs with 13 points and a game-high eight assists, while Loera chipped in 12 knocking down three 3-pointers.
After ending the first half on a 22-9 run, Oregon picked up where it left off to begin the second half with Johnson and Loera tallying UO's first four points. But the Mustangs got back into the game by rattling off a 9-6 run to pull within 10 of the Ducks, 59-49. The Mustangs kept chipping away at Oregon's lead, but Holliday scored nine straight points to put the Ducks ahead by 13, 73-60, with a little over 11 minutes in the game.
Cal Poly cut the UO lead down to five, 77-72, at the 9:16 minute mark, but freshman Lexi Petersen converted two layups and Jackson added three strikes at the charity stripe to push the lead back to 10.
Holliday came up big for Oregon and converted a three-point play after she was fouled by Ashley Cascio with 4:39 left, and the Ducks were able to hold off the Mustangs' last run to pull away for the win.
Cal Poly's Jonae Ervin led all scorers with 33 points shooting 11-of-13 from the floor and a perfect 5-of-5 from long distance. Kayla Griffin added a double-double for the Mustangs with 17 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, while 2010 Big West Player of the Year Kristina Santiago added 19 points.
The Ducks got off to a sluggish start and fell behind early before going on a 13-6 run capped off with a layup by Johnson to take their first lead of the game, 29-28, with 6:34 left in the first stanza. Jackson got the run started with a layup off a steal on a quick inbound play and finished off the three-point play after she was fouled by Griffin, prompting Cal Poly to call a 30-second timeout to attempt to stop the momentum of the Ducks. But the Mustangs were unsuccessful as Oregon held Cal Poly to eight points in the final five minutes of the half to take a 49-37 lead into the half.
Oregon will return to the court at 7 p.m., Friday as the Ducks host Illinois. The game will be the second of UO's six-game homestand to open the season.
Oregon shot 52.9 percent (18-of-34) in the second half and 45.0 percent (36-of-80) for the game, while Cal Poly held a 54-51 edge on the boards. The Ducks dished 21 assists on 36 made baskets and went to the free-throw line 30 times, compared to 23 trips for the Mustangs.
NOTES: Oregon is now 33-6 all-time in season openers…Amanda Johnson passed Cathrine Kraayeveld, and now ranks 17th all-time in UO scoring with 1,165 career points…Johnson's 165 career steals tie for seventh all-time with Alison Lang…Laura Stanulis' 13 points are a new career, and she knocked down the first 3-pointer of her Oregon career…Stanulis' eight assists were also a career high …Jasmin Holliday's 24 points were a new career high…Nia Jackson's 10 made free throws are a new career best.
NEXT GAME
The Ducks host Illinois from the Big Ten Conference at 7 p.m., Friday at Matt
Arena, before taking on Portland State at 7 p.m., Sunday in Eugene.
FRIDAY'S PROMOTIONS
The Oregon women's basketball team is set to GO GREEN on Friday as the Ducks
host Illinois at Matthew Knight Arena.
With tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. against the Fighting Illini, Oregon fans that donate functional or non-functional electronics for recycling will receive a general admission ticket for $3 - a savings of $4.
Goodwill will be on hand to accept all donations.
Oregon Athletics is partnering with the UO Office of Sustainability, and at halftime, the Ducks will also recognize the winners of the "Residence Hall-Energy Reduction Competition."
In support of the cause, the Oregon women's basketball team will also Go Green by wearing green uniforms at Friday's game.
In addition, Duck fans in town for Saturday's football game against USC can spend Friday evening at Matthew Knight Arena. Fans that arrive at the arena on Friday night with their USC football ticket will receive a free general admission ticket for the women's basketball game against Illinois.
