Nov. 24, 2009
Final Stats |
Action Photos 
EUGENE, Ore. - The University of Oregon overcame an eight-point first half deficit, using its press-and-run style to beat visiting Santa Clara University 88-71 Tuesday night at Mac Court.
In a tale of two halves, Santa Clara saw its starting backcourt of Alyssa Shoji and Meagan Fulps combine to score 21 of SCU's first 31 points. Fulps had the best game of her young college career, finishing with 16 points while Shoji added 14.
Oregon (3-0) was plagued by poor shooting early-on, making just three of their first 16 attempts from the field. Micaela Cocks made consecutive baskets to allow the Ducks their first lead, 23-22, with 4:29 left before halftime.
Shoji tied the game at 27 with a baseline triple while Fulps, a true freshman from Littleton, Colorado, was doing most of her scoring off the dribble.
Santa Clara (1-3) trailed 35-31 at halftime despite All-WCC forward Lena Gipson sitting out the final nine minutes of the first half with foul trouble.
"The first half we came out and executed our game plan," said Santa Clara Head Coach Jennifer Mountain. "Even without Lena in the game we did a nice job of controlling the tempo."
The Ducks heated-up after the intermission, making three quick 3s to establish an 11-point advantage 44-33. The lead ballooned to 19, 56-37, after a three-point play by Amanda Johnson and a free-throw by Cocks.
Johnson finished with 19 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the field. Forward Nicole Canepa also had 19 and Cocks made three 3s and scored 18.
Gipson fouled out during Oregon's decisive second-half surge, scoring just six points and Oregon would lead comfortably throughout the final 10 minutes.
"They knocked down timely shots and when they went on some nice runs we didn't respond," said Mountain. "We stopped defending the way we were in the first half."
SCU freshman guard Ashley Armstrong dropped-in three triples late in the second half and finished with a season-high 14 points.
"Our two freshman guards really did a nice job," said Mountain about the play of Fulps and Armstrong. "Ashley really settled down in the second half. Both had some good moments that's for sure."
Santa Clara opens a four-game homestand this Sunday, November 29 at 2 p.m. against the University of Utah.