Oregon Ducks Win Shootout Against the Cougars and Dominate the Beavers

Taylor Lilley has led the Ducks to a 12-3 record and a 3-0 record in the Pac-10.

The Oregon Ducks Women’s basketball team has had a tremendous season, in large part because of their balanced scoring, array of talented guards, and their more-than-capable role players.

They won an exhilarating and high-scoring affair against Washington State, defeating the Cougars 98-92 by running Paul Westhead’s run-and-gun style to perfection.

Their contest against their hated rival, the Oregon State Beavers, was very similarly played. They ran when they had the opportunity to do so, which was early and often.

Unlike against the Cougars, their defense frustrated the Beavers, leading to 21 turnovers forced and more running. Their inside-outside game was superb, which tormented an over-matched Oregon State.

In their win over Washington State, the Ducks scored 98 points. Behind their success was speedy sophomore Nia Jackson, who was the aggressor throughout, driving constantly, opening up shots for her teammates and easy shots for herself.

She finished with 20 points in 28 minutes, dished seven assists, and swiped five steals. She was everywhere, seemingly in the middle of everything during his time on the floor. Given they scored nearly 100, she had plenty of help.

Five other players scored in double figures. The immensely talented Taylor Lilley, who has unlimited range, was held in check from deep, but she, along with Micaela Cocks, formed a dynamic tandem, hitting a plethora of mid-range jumpers and layups to score a combined 37 points in all.

These three guards were excellent, but a pair of forwards also made their presence felt. Amanda Johnson notched her seventh double-double of the season, cleaning the boards to compliment a smooth offensive game.

She grabbed 15 rebounds and scored 12 points. Her fellow forward, Jasmin Holliday, snatched nine rebounds, including five offensive, but was the only one not to score in double-digits of seven Ducks that played.

Facing the Beavers in Corvallis, Oregon’s scoring wasn’t as widespread, but they got the job done with ease. They shot a good, but not great 44 percent against the Cougars, which makes their scoring total that much more impressive.

They increased that percentage to 53 percent against Oregon State, picking apart an overwhelmed defense inside, outside, and in transition.

Three Ducks scored 20-plus points: Lilley, Cocks and Johnson. Lilley’s was particularly efficient. She made 8-of-16 field goals, drained five, three-pointers, including one in the second half from 25 feet, dished five assists, and collected four steals.

She had no turnovers, as did Cocks, who added 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting and lived predominately inside the three-point line by carving through the Beavers defense constantly. Johnson had 20 points, nine rebounds (four offensive), three steals, and three blocks. The trio was just too much for Oregon State.

Nia Jackson has been the Ducks' backbone of late, fueling a up-tempo attack with her aggression.

What was so impressive about the Ducks’ performances against Washington State and Oregon State was how well they ran a high-tempo offense. Such an offense can be chaotic, feature many ill-advised shots and a lot of misses, but Oregon was in control.

They ran the set-plays very well and also spread the wealth by predominately succeeding in transition. The transition ’seven seconds or less’ offense founded by the former head coach of the Phoenix Suns, Mike D’Antoni, who built the Suns into an amazingly potent team, was as Suns-like as possible.

Off makes by the Beavers, they caught them back-pedalling, sprinting downcourt immediately upon receiving the inbounds. They picked Oregon State apart was their play early in the clock, which turned a close game into a blowout.

Jackson facilitated such an offensive scheme against Washington State, but against the Beavers, others joined the fun in piling up the fastbreak points and finding teammates for other easy baskets. They scored enough to beat Washington State, and took it to Oregon State, winning by 15 in the Civil War.

These two outstanding wins improved their overall record to 12-3, their best mark through 15 games since 1999. They also improved their Pac-10 record to 3-0, their best start in conference play since the 2000-2001 season. With Westhead’s offense, and how well their excellent core is running it, more wins are on the horizon for the dangerous Ducks.