Oregon Sidesteps Matadors 79-75
Rick Morgan

Jasmine Holliday scored 23 points to help the Oregon Ducks hold off Cal State Northridge 79-75 Monday evening at Matthew Knight Arena.

With senior forward Amanda Johnson sporting a bright green and yellow cast on the broken thumb that will keep her sidelined four weeks, the Ducks spent the first 75 percent of the game building a 16-point lead only to have the Matadors cut the lead to one point with four seconds remaining.

Then things got a bit bizarre. Out of timeouts, Cal State called one anyway when Oregon's Jordan Loera missed the first of a one and one free throw opportunity. Oregon - and Loera - was then awarded two additional attempts thanks to the bench technical charged for the extra time out. Loera made both and the Ducks improved to 8-3 on the season.

Oregon had lost in their previous two outings, both on the road. "It was good to get a win and be back at home and turn things around," said Westhead. "We had a big help from Jasmin Holliday.

"She is a very valuable player. I've been with her for three seasons, and she has only gotten better every year."

With Johnson out, Holliday was asked to fill in the void offensively.

"When he (Westhead) calls a play, I try to produce or drive and kick the ball," said Holliday. "We miss Amanda's leadership, but other players are stepping up."

The game also featured the debut of Liz Brenner - on loan from the volleyball program to help bolster diminishing numbers in the frontcourt. A season ending injury to freshman center Janita Iamaleava in training camp and now Johnson's thumb injury have the Ducks thin at power forward and in the post.

Brenner was an All-State basketball player at Jesuit in Portland before focusing solely on volleyball. With Oregon's volleyball season complete, Brenner was given the OK by her coach Jim Moore to join the basketball team and the freshman gave a solid accounting of herself, scoring four points and grabbing three rebounds in 13 minutes of playing time.

"She handled herself very well," Westhead offered. "She is still learning and trying to get a feel of the game. She doesn't let people push her around. She is only going to get better and I am very pleased."

Nia Jackson added 10 points with Deanna Weaver and Ariel Thomas each adding nine. Weaver's 9 rebounds was equaled by Danielle Love to lead Oregon and as a team the Ducks held a 48-37 advantage on the boards. But 23 turnovers was nearly their undoing.

"We need to correct the unforced turnovers," said Westhead. "It wasn't the speed of the game, the ball was just going in very bizarre places, sometimes straight to the opposition. We got caught when we slowed down. My philosophy has always been the faster you go, the less you turn over.

Oregon will complete their non-conference schedule on Wednesday, hosting Saint Mary's at Matthew Knight Arena at noon.