As soon as Oregon guard Taylor Lilley set foot on the court, the smile the face of the smallest player on the court set the tone for the game to come.
The women’s basketball Civil War was a back and forth battle from the get-go. In addition to a rivalry match-up the meeting was also the Pac-10 opener for both clubs.
Oregon State (0-1 Pac-10, 7-5 overall) controlled the tip at the beginning of the game but a bad pass by junior guard Brittney Davis led to an easy basket by Lilley after the Duck (1-0, 7-5) offense reset. Lilley was at it again a few possessions later as she earned herself a steal before cruising down the court for an open lay in.
Oregon continued with the lead as guard Micaela Cocks drilled a three from the corner, her second straight three and one from each corner. Up 13-7 UO got the ball in to their Australian post Ellyce Ironmonger. A double-team from the Beavers led to a kick out to Lilley who drained a three of her own.
The Beavers slowly battled back with a Davis three, prompting the Ducks to institute a full court trap defense. After another three from the wing by Lilley, Davis drove for contact and went to the line. Davis made both from the charity stripe on her way to a 9-9 performance from the line.
After losing her touch from the arc Lilley used her speed driving through defenders to bring the Duck back with in one 21-20. Oregon continued to fight back into the lead by using their excellent team speed and ball movement as guard Tamika Nurse came off the bench lighting a spark under Oregon.
With a 35-31 lead the Ducks started with the ball in the second half, as Oregon State did on their opening possession Oregon turned the ball over leading to an easy bucket by post Tiffany Ducker. As OSU did in the first half UO spent the early parts of the second half forcing shots and passes leading to OSU possessions and buckets.
With 3:02 left OSU guard Mercedes Fox-Griffin fought the full court press and drove the length of the court hitting her shot and drawing a foul. Fox-Griffin was cold from the line however missing her shot leaving Oregon up 67-64.
Lilley was able to give Oregon a strong enough lead by driving the arc and getting a screen from Ironmonger leading to a basket. Lilley did it again with 27 seconds left. It was a couple of free throws from Nurse that cemented it with five seconds remaining giving Oregon the 76-72 victory.
Leading the way on the boards for the Ducks was Kaela Chapdelaine who finished with nine boards and five assists. Lilley lead the way with 21 points. The Beaver offense was directed by Fox-Griffin who racked up seven assists. Davis finished with her high at OSU with 23 points while forward Stacey Nichols finished with 10 boards.
Both the Beavers and the Ducks welcome the Arizona schools this following week. Thursday at Gill Arizona and OSU match up and on Saturday the Sun Devils venture into Legendary Gill Coliseum.
(Editors Note: The raw audio clips below are from the post game press conferences. OSU with head coach LaVonda Wagner, guards Brittney Davis and Mercedes Fox-Griffin; Oregon with guard Taylor Lilley and post Ellyce Ironmonger)
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