University of Oregon
Eastern Washington
Westhead And Ducks Dazzle In Debut
11/17/09 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. – The Paul Westhead era officially tipped off with a bang as Oregon unloaded an 86-48 season-opening victory over visiting Eastern Washington at McArthur Court on Monday night.
Career days were put together by senior guard Taylor Lilley and junior forward Nicole Canepa as the Ducks had three players finish in double figures.
Lilley scored a career-high 28 points and also set a new career high with seven three-pointers. The senior sharpshooter knocked down four consecutive treys in a 2-minute and 26-second span during the second half.
For Canepa, the San Francisco native set a career high with 17 points off the bench, and posted the second double-double of her career with 10 rebounds. Canepa made her way to the free-throw line on 12 occasions, and knocked down nine of her attempts, again setting career highs.
Senior guard Micaela Cocks also reached double figures with 14 points and four assists, while sophomore Amanda Johnson added eight points, seven rebounds and a game-high five assists.
Oregon led from start to finish, and outscored the Eagles 28-18 in the paint.
Eastern Washington, which now falls to 1-1 on the year, was held to 21 points in the second half.
The Ducks held a 45-27 advantage at the break as Johnson and Nia Jackson dealt with foul trouble in the first 20 minutes. In the second half, the Ducks held Eastern Washington scoreless until the 13:54 mark, building a 53-27 lead in the process.
Oregon's 38-point margin of victory was its largest since a 102-36 win over Prairie View A&M on Dec. 10, 2005, and its 86 points were the most the program had scored since an 86-73 win over Arizona on Jan. 11, 2007.
The Ducks shot 40.6 percent (26-of-64) from the floor, and outrebounded EWU, 51-37, led by junior Victoria Kenyon's career-high nine rebounds.
The Eagles were led by Julie Piper's 10 points and eight rebounds.
Oregon returns to the floor on Sunday at Montana (0-2). Tip is set for 1 p.m. PST, and Ducks fans can listen to Terry Jonz call the game on THE SCORE 95.3 FM in the Eugene/Springfield area.
Fans can also purchase subscription to the O-Zone online audio broadcast.
The Ducks will return to McArthur Court to host Santa Clara, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24 Fans can show their ticket stub from the Oregon men's basketball game against Montana on Monday, Nov. 23, and receive free general admission to the women's game against the Broncos.
Oregon will remain at home Thanksgiving weekend to host the six-game World Vision Invitational at McArthur Court from Nov. 27-29.. Off the basketball floor, the goal of the tournament is to raise funds for the purchase of treated mosquito nets to prevent the spread of malaria. Malaria is the #4 killer of children under the age of 5 world wide. Watch UO's video to support the cause HERE.
Notes: Oregon was without sophomore forward Jasmin Holliday for the opener. She is currently in southern California dealing with a family matter…it was the official Oregon debut for Kristi Fallin, Laura Stanulis and Candyce Flynn…Lilley's seven three-pointers in a single game tie for third all-time. The record is eight and has been hit twice…Lilley's 21 field goal attempts and 14 three-point field goal attempts were also career highs. Lilley's career-high 28 points eclipsed her previous mark of 27 at UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 17, 2006 – her collegiate debut… Canepa's double-double was her first since an 11-point, 14-rebound effort in the Pac-10 Tournament against Cal on Mar. 8, 2008. Her previous scoring high was 16 points vs. Marquette on Nov. 20, 2007. She converted three three-point plays during Monday's win.
