University of Oregon
8-3
Cal State Northridge
5-6
Ducks Hold On In Nail Biter
12/20/11 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon found itself on the winning end of another nail biter, defeating Cal State Northridge, 79-75, on Monday evening at Matthew Knight Arena.
The Ducks (8-3) kept their undefeated mark of 8-0 at Matthew Knight Arena alive, and ended a two-game losing streak they bought back to Eugene from the road.
Jasmin Holliday led Oregon with 23 points, but after leading by as many as 16 points in the second half, the Ducks allowed Cal State Northridge (5-6) back in the game after turning the ball over 15 times in the second half.
Oregon led by as many as 16, 61-45, with 11:54 to play, but the Matadors pieced together an 11-0 run in the second half to creep back into the game, 61-56, with 9:56 to play. During that stretch the Ducks were held scoreless for nearly three minutes as Jordan Loera's three-pointer finally put a stop to the Matadors' run with 9:09 remaining.
Loera was later fouled on a three-point attempt, and knocked down all of her attempts from the charity stripe to give the Ducks a 67-58 advantage with 8:28 remaining.
But Cal State Northridge would not go away, closing to 76-73 with 1:16 remaining as Janae Sharpe knocked down two free throws after being fouled by Nia Jackson. Sharpe was on a breakaway lay-up after a UO turnover.
The Matadors had the ball with 15 seconds remaining and Jasmine Erving missed a three-point attempt, but Randi Friess was there for the rebound and putback as CSUN closed 76-75 with four seconds to go.
With 3.2 seconds left on the clock, Loera was fouled and sent to the line for a 1-and-1 opportunity. The rookie missed her first attempt and CSUN's Jessica Duarte retrieved the rebound, calling a timeout the Matadors did not have. CSUN was charged with a technical, sending Loera back to the line as the freshman calmly sank two free throws given a second chance.
Jackson, who fouled out with 1:16 to play was the only other Duck in double figures with 10 points, a team-leading six assists and three steals. For Jackson, it was the senior point guard's third-straight game scoring in double figures.
Danielle Love fell a point and a rebound shy of double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, while Deanna Weaver added nine boards as well.
Erving was a menace for Oregon to handle inside the paint, scoring 29 points and grabbing eight rebounds to lead Cal State Northridge. The Matadors outscored Oregon 36-30 inside. Ashlee Guay added 11 points and a game-high seven assists for CUSN.
The Ducks shot 43.5 percent for the game (30-of-69) but just 38.5 percent (10-of-26) in the second half.
Cal State Northridge was able to score 21 points off UO's 15 second-half turnovers.
The Ducks newest member to the roster, two-sport athlete Liz Brenner who joined the team Saturday after playing for the UO volleyball team in the fall, scored four points and grabbed three rebounds off the bench in 13 minutes of action.
Oregon took a 48-36 lead into the break thanks to 46.5 percent (20-of-43) shooting from the floor. Holliday led Oregon with 15 points in the first 20 minutes matched by 15 points from Erving.
The Ducks scored 11 points off Cal State Northridge's 12 first-half turnovers, and UO also held a 27-21 rebounding edge at the break.
The Ducks end the non-conference portion of their schedule on Wednesday, hosting Saint Mary's at 12 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.
Pac-12 play begins Thursday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. as Oregon hosts Washington State.
Promotions
Family Furlough Day - Wednesday, Dec. 21
All kids ages 12 and under can purchase $3 general admission tickets. Bring your ticket from the Dec. 20 men's basketball game against North Carolina Central, and receive free admission.
Notes: Liz Brenner, who joined the UO basketball team on Saturday after competing for the UO volleyball team in the fall, checked into the game at the 13:38 mark and played 13 minutes, scoring four points and grabbing three rebounds…Jasmin Holliday recorded her 10th double-figure scoring game of the season and her fourth 20-point game of the year with a team-leading 23 points…Nia Jackson's174 career steals rank sixth all-time…Oregon played its second game without senior Amanda Johnson, who is out four weeks with a left thumb fracture…every player who appeared in the game for Oregon scored…Nia Jackson has reached double figures for three consecutive games…Nia Jackson was the first Oregon player to foul out this season.
