Ducks Travel To Washington For Final Road Trip
THIS WEEK
The Oregon women’s basketball team heads out on the road for its final regular season road trip until the Pac-10 tournament in San Jose next month.
Oregon will first travel to Bank of America Arena in Seattle to play the sixth place Huskies (9-14, 4-8) on Friday night. Washington is a half-game ahead of Oregon (10-14, 4-9) in the conference standings. Friday’s game will also be Washington’s Think Pink contest.
The Ducks then head to Pullman to take on Washington State (3-20, 0-12) at Friel Court at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
MEDIA
Fans in Oregon can listen to Terry Jonz call both games this week on KSCR 1320. His broadcasts will also be available on the O-Zone for Duck fans out of the listening area. Live stats will also be linked at www.GoDucks.com.
Oregon fans can also watch Friday’s game online at www.GoHuskies.com. Fans do have to sign up for the all-access video stream.
TIP-OFF TUESDAY
The Cooler’s Oregon Tip-Off Tuesday coaches’ radio show is broadcast live from The Cooler Restaurant and Bar from 7-8 p.m., every Tuesday night.
The show features Jerry Allen with men’s basketball head coach Ernie Kent, and the voice of Oregon women’s basketball, Terry Jonz, with head coach Bev Smith. Fans are invited to catch the live action in-person, but can also listen on KUGN 590 in Eugene as well as the O-Zone at www.GoDucks.com.
INSIDE SCOOP
Don’t forget to catch head coach Bev Smith in her weekly coach’s show, aired on KEZI at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, and replayed on Comcast SportsNet (channel 37). Check listings at www.northwest.comcastsportsnet.com for each week’s replay times. O-Zone subscribers can also watch on www.GoDucks.com.
JACKSON’S TURN
This weekend will be freshman point guard Nia Jackson’s opportunity to return home when the Ducks head to Seattle to play Washington on Friday. Jackson, a 2007 graduate of Chief Sealth High School, won two state titles with the Seahawks. Plagued by three different injuries since the start of Pac-10 play, Jackson is currently nursing a sprain to her left ACL, and will be out of action approximately 2-3 weeks.
IN NEED OF A QUICK FIX
After four games on the road - and four losses - Oregon returned home last week, but to the competition of the Pac-10’s two top teams, No. 6 Stanford and No. 9 Cal.
After a 72-43 loss on Thursday to the Cardinal and a 53-34 defeat to the Golden Bears on Saturday, the Ducks’ losing streak has extended to six games. The stretch of consecutive losses is the longest for the program since the 2005-06 season when Oregon ended its season on a six-game losing streak.
NUMBERS TO LOOK AT
A loss on the road this week would mean several scenarios for Oregon...if the team’s winning streak extended to seven games it would be the longest for the program since the 1992-93 season, when the Ducks lost 11 straight games (10 in the Pac-10)...if Oregon loses another road game this season, it would also mean the most in program history...the Ducks currently are 1-9 on the road, teams from 1975-76, 2000-01, 2003-04 and 2005-06 each lost nine road games apiece, but no team has exceeded that total.
TAKING NOTES
Currently two Oregon players are making their respective way upward in the Oregon record book. Senior Kaela Chapdelaine has currently played in 115 career games, tying for 10th all-time in program history. Taylor Lilley leads the team with 54 three-pointers, the mark ties Brandi Davis for fifth in single season history. The record of 81 is held by Jamie Craighead (2000-01). Lilley also now has made 93 career three-pointers, seventh all-time.
OFFENSIVE WOES
While Oregon’s defense has answered the call during the last six games, holding opponents to 58.5 points per game and a .386 shooting percentage, the Ducks’ offense has been struggling to surpass those numbers.
Over the last six games, Oregon is averaging 48.2 points per game and is shooting .354 (110-311) from the field. Oregon has gone to the line an average of 10 times per game, compared to opponents taking 16.3 trips to the stripe per game.
Oregon has also been outrebounded by a - 6.0 margin, while turning the ball over 118 times compared to opponents’ total of 91 turnovers.
LEADING SCORER
Over Oregon’s last three games, opposing defenses have found a way to shut down the Ducks’ leading scorer, sophomore guard Taylor Lilley. The only Oregon player averaging double figures at 12.0 points per game, the Newhall, Calif., native was held to five points at Arizona State, four points against No. 6 Stanford and six against No. 9 California.
Lilley also headed into the Stanford game with a six-game three-point streak intact, but it was snapped by the Cardinal, which held Lilley to a 2-for-7 performance overall, including 0-for-4 from three-point range.
BACK IN THE STARTING FIVE
Since rejoining the starting lineup on Feb. 2 at Arizona State, freshman Nicole Canepa has led the Ducks in scoring, averaging 9.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. The San Francisco native has shot an even .500 (13-of-26) from the floor during the last three games, and is playing 24.7 minutes per game.
Also making a return to the starting five has been freshman forward Ellie Manou, and junior point guard Tamika Nurse. Manou, who continues to battle a left foot injury that limits her practice time and conditioning, was put back in the lineup at Arizona State with Canepa. She is leading the team during that stretch with 6.7 rebounds per game, and third on the team averaging 6.3 points per game.
After a 15-point performance at Arizona State, Nurse returned to the starting lineup against No. 6 Stanford for the first time since the Ducks’ 80-45 loss at Baylor on Dec. 12. In the last three games, Nurse is averaging 7.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.
INJURY BUG
The injury bug has crossed the path of a fair share of Oregon players this season. While a total of four players have missed a total of 10 games due to injuries, several additional Oregon players have battled chronic injuries.
Freshman Ellie Manou continues to struggle with a soft tissue injury in her left foot that limits her full-court practice time and conditioning. Taylor Lilley has not missed a game, but continues to fight pain in her shins. Freshman Tatianna Thomas has dealt with achilles and wrist problems as well. Freshman Nia Jackson, who played with a knee bruise earlier in the year, missed four games (UCLA, USC, Arizona, Arizona State) with a right quad strain. On Feb. 4, during an individual workout, Jackson sprained her left ACL. She was unable to play vs. Stanford and Cal, and will be unavailable the next 2-3 weeks.
SIMILAR NUMBERS
Oregon has not won a game since its 66-64 defeat of Washington on Jan. 19 at Mac Court...Washington, Oregon and Washington State - the sixth, seventh, and tenth place teams in the Pac-10 respectively - have glaring similarities. The Ducks (9th) and Cougars (10th) rank at the bottom of the conference in scoring offense at 57.2 and 51.7 points per game, respectively. The trio also ranks at the bottom of the conference in field goal percentage with Washington at .394 (8th), Oregon at .385 (9th) and Washington State at .331 (10th). They are the only teams not shooting above .400 in the Pac-10.
WASHINGTON SERIES HISTORY
In Pac-10 action, Oregon and Washington have an even 23-23 series record...earlier this year, the Ducks edged out a 66-64 victory at Mac Court on Jan. 19, after Tamika Nurse drained two free throws and Taylor Lilley came up with a steal...Oregon last won in Seattle on March 20, 2002...the 77-73 win came in the quarterfinals of the WNIT...the Ducks have not won a Pac-10 game in Seattle in their last six tries, dating back to Jan. 18, 2001, 67-53.
Washignton Probable Starters
04 ? Emily Florence ? G ? 5-5 ? Sr. ? Boise, Idaho/Timberline HS
? One of two players to start all 24 games...the shortest player on the roster, but leads the team in rebounds at 6.3 per game.
20 ? Sami Whitcomb ? G ? 5-10 ? So. ? Ventura, Calif./Buena HS
? Averaging 11.1 ppg (second on the team)...scored 27 points and hit 5 three-pointers at UCLA...leads team with 52 steals.
21 ? Katelan Redmon ? G/F ? 6-1 ? Fr. ? Spokane, Wash./Lewis & Clark HS
? Leads the team averaging 12.4 points per game...shooting .415 (122-294) from the floor...tied for 3rd on the team with 4.6 rpg.
24 ? Jess McCormack ? F/C ? 6-5 ? Fr. ? Auckland, New Zealand/Northcote College
? Leads the starting five with a .449 percentage...averaging 7.8 ppg and 4.6 rpg...held scoreless at both USC and UCLA last week.
32 ? Andrea Plouffe ? F/C ? 6-2 ? Sr. ? Edmonton, Alberta/Harry Ainlay HS
? Averaging 8.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game...recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards at UCLA.
WASHINGTON STATE SERIES HISTORY
In Pac-10 action, Oregon holds a 34-10 series lead over Washington State...the Ducks most recent win came on Jan. 17 at Mac Court as the Ducks were victorious, 65-45, led by Nicole Canepa’s 12 points...Oregon has won the last three meetings between the programs, including a sweep last season...the Ducks have won 13 of the last 14 meetings, the only loss on Feb. 18, 2006 in Pullman, 68-53...it was part of a season-ending six game losing streak.
Washington State Probable Starters
13 ? Katie Appleton ? G ? 5-8 ? Jr. ? Big Bear Lake, Calif./Apple Valley HS
? Scored a team-high 18 points at UCLA on Friday, but then was injured after eight minutes of action at USC.
20 ? Katie Calderwood ? F ? 6-0 ? Fr. ? Broomfield, Colo./Broomfield HS
? Averaging 4.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
22 ? Jasmine Williams ? G ? 5-9 ? Fr. ? Kent, Wash./Seattle Prep
? Scored six points at both UCLA and USC last week.
24 ? Kezia Kelly ? G ? 5-6 ? Fr. ? Auckland, New Zealand/Northcote College
? Tied for the team lead with 48 assists...last week averaged 8.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
31 ? Heather Molzen ? F/C ? 6-3 ? Jr. ? Lakeside, Calif. El Capitan HS
? Last week averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
GAME RECAPS
CAL 53, OREGON 34 ? Mac Court, Feb. 9, 2008
EUGENE, Ore. ? For the second straight game, Oregon was unable to knock off a top-10 team on its home floor, falling to ninth-ranked California, 53-34, on Saturday at Mac Court.
The Golden Bears stay at the top of the conference standings with a 12-1 record and improve to 21-3 overall.
The Ducks, now on a six-game losing streak, are 10-14 on the season and 4-9 in the Pac-10. Oregon’s losing streak is its longest since ending the 2005-06 season with six straight defeats. It is the first time during the last 15 tries Cal has recorded a victory at Mac Court. The Golden Bears last won in Eugene on Jan. 7, 1993 by the score of 75-63.
The Ducks struggled offensively, shooting 20.0 percent (11-55), a new season low. Oregon’s 34 points scored was the program’s lowest output since a 51-34 loss at Washington on Jan. 13, 1978.
For the second time this season, not one Oregon player scored in double figures. The Ducks were led by Micaela Cocks (7), Nicole Canepa (6) and Taylor Lilley (6).
STANFORD 72, OREGON 43 ? Mac Court, Feb. 7, 2008
EUGENE, Ore. ? The sixth-ranked team in the country got hot early, and although Oregon put up a second-half fight, the Ducks fell to Stanford, 72-43 on Thursday night at Mac Court in front of 2,503.
The Cardinal extend their winning streak to nine games, and improve to 21-3 on the year and 10-2 in the Pacific-10 Conference. The Ducks have now lost five straight, and are 10-13 overall with a 4-8 record in conference play, currently seventh in the standings.
For the second consecutive game, freshman Nicole Canepa scored in double figures since returning to the starting lineup at Arizona State last Saturday. The San Francisco native led the Ducks with 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting.
It was Stanford’s 46-point first half that put Oregon in an early hole. After Ellie Manou scored the opening basket at the 19:31 mark for the Ducks, Oregon was held scoreless for nearly 10 minutes until Kaela Chapdelaine converted a layup with 9:31 remaining to halftime. At that point, the Cardinal had a 23-4 lead.
In her last appearance at Mac Court, Candice Wiggins led all scorers with 25 points, 11 field goals, a game-high tying eight rebounds and four assists. Kayla Pedersen added 17 points and Jayne Appel added scored 14 points with eight boards.
