Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Oregon Ducks overcame a 20-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Portland Pilots 83-79 in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Monday night at the Chiles Center. It’s the first loss of the season for the Pilots, who are now 4-1.

 

The Pilots looked in control early in the second half after a traditional three-point play by junior guard ReZina TecleMariam gave Portland a 48-28 lead with 18:18 remaining. But that’s when Oregon (3-0) heated up from the field and embarked on a lengthy drive, which culminated with the Ducks finally taking the lead at 67-65 on a jumper from Tatianna Thomas.

 

That set up a wild final four-plus minutes of the game as there were six ties and four lead changes. After a pair of free throws by TecleMariam tied the score at 71-71 with 3:56 to play, Oregon got a huge three-pointer from Victoria Kenyon to give the lead back to the Ducks.

 

Portland’s Natalie Day then hit a clutch lay-up at the other end while getting fouled, setting up a potential three-point play. She’d hit the free throw, tying the score once again with 2:32 remaining. Then at the other end of the court, Alexis Gannis got a hand on a UO pass, coming up with a steal at the top of the key before heading the other way. She’d out-run three Oregon players to convert on a lay-up that gave UP a 76-74 lead.

 

Oregon had an answer in the form of a go-ahead three-pointer by Ashley Buis with 90 seconds left to play.

 

After Day hit one of two from the line to tie the score, Buis hit a tough, scoop shot while falling away from the basket that gave the lead back to the Ducks.

 

Then with under a minute to play Gannis came up huge again, this time with an offensive board which led to an Oregon foul on the attempted put-back. The junior forward then calmly hit a pair of free throws, knotting the score at 79-79 with :52 left on the clock.

 

But Oregon’s Nia Jackson responded by slicing through the lane to hit the go-ahead lay-up with :36 remaining. Portland then couldn’t get a shot off at their end of the court as the Ducks forced a turnover and iced the win on another lay-up by Jackson.

 

Day was huge for Portland, finishing with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds for her first career double-double. It’s the second time in the last three games to score 25 points for Day, a junior wing. TecleMariam finished with 10 points despite dealing with foul issues for much of the game. Nakeisha Brown also reached double figures, adding 12 points.

 

Amanda Johnson, who hit three three-pointers, led the Ducks with 20 points and 12 boards. Jackson had 18, while Buis added 11.

 

Both teams were hurt by turnovers (24 for Portland, 23 for Oregon), and the Pilots claimed a slim 44-42 edge on the glass.

 

The first half belonged to Portland as the Pilots were able to fight off the scrappy Ducks and take a 42-28 lead into the half-time locker room. After Oregon took a five point lead with 8:50 left in the first stanza, UP went on a 23-4 run to end the half. The outburst featured four three-pointers, two courtesy of Day who led Portland at the break with 14 points.

 

The Pilots next hit the road for a two-day tournament in Houston, Texas this weekend. UP and Lamar are set to play at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific) on Friday before the Pilots face host Houston Baptist at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.