SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Ducks, who rank fifth nationally in scoring offense, ran past the Broncos 99-72 in women's basketball action at Santa Clara's Leavey Center on Tuesday night.
Oregon's full-court press forced Santa Clara into 32 turnovers and the Pac-10's leading scorer Amanda Johnson had 15 points in the first nine minutes, opening the game by making 6 of 7 shots, including three 3s.
Johnson finished with a team-high 27 points for the Ducks (9-2), who entered the game averaging 87.4 points per night. Johnson's shooting allowed Oregon to surge ahead 28-14 after the opening 10 minutes.
Lena Gipson, the reigning WCC Player of the Week, had 18 points and 18 rebounds to post her sixth double-double in seven games for the Broncos (2-9). Gipson made 12 free throws, a new career-high.
Meagan Fulps added 17 points for SCU, helping the Broncos make it a 30-20 game with 8:35 left before halftime.
However, 18 first-half turnovers made it tough for SCU to hang around against an Oregon team that beat St. Mary's 100-71 Thursday in Moraga. UO then went on a 24-4 first-half run to lead 54-29 at the break and never looked back.
Oregon shot 50.0 percent (7 for 14) from 3-point range in the first half and 53.8 percent (21 for 39) overall. Victoria Kenyon made all four of her shots and three free throws to score 13 points for the Ducks. Nia Jackson had 13 points and 7 assists.
Alyssa Shoji made a season-high five 3s and Ricki Radanovich had her second consecutive double-figure scoring game, finishing with a season's best 12.
The Broncos will return to action following the Christmas holiday, playing at UC Davis (Monday, Dec. 27) and at Cal Poly (Thursday, Dec. 30).
GAME NOTES: Lena Gipson moved into second place all-time at SCU in career rebounds ... Oregon's 99 points was the third most ever scored by an opposing team at SCU's Leavey Center … the Pac-10 is now 7-4 against WCC teams this season … Oregon has enjoyed a resurgence under second-year head coach Paul Westhead, already matching their entire win-total from 2008-09, the year prior to his arrival … Oregon defeated Santa Clara 88-71 last year in Eugene and is now 10-2 all-time versus Santa Clara.
