Ducks Ground Pilots
Rick Morgan
Oregon improved to 7-1 on the season Sunday afternoon with an 88-78 win over the Portland Pilots at Matthew Knight Arena.
Amanda Johnson's 23 points and 16 rebounds led the way with Jasmin Holliday adding 20 points and sophomore guard Danielle Love posting a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards. Love also added a career high five assists to cause.
The Pilots used a balanced offense to keep the Ducks from running away with the game. Every time Oregon would build a double digit cushion, Portland found the open man and fought their way back into the contest. Five players posted double figures on the scoresheet, ReZina Teclemariam at the head of the pack with 20 including 6 for 11 from three.
Oregon opened a 19-point lead early in the second half but the Pilots - and Teclemariam - shot their way back into the contest with a 25-8 run against the Ducks.
The Ducks re-gathered and spent the next eight minutes rebuilding their lead to 13 with just over a minute left only to see the Pilots strike for three straight treys, cutting the lead back to four points.
Ariel Thomas, Johnson and Love went 6 for 6 from the free throw line down the stretch to put the pesky Pilots away.
Oregon out rebounded Portland 48-40 which led to a 19-13 advantage in second chance points for the Ducks.
The Ducks now take the week off for final exams before returning to action with a pair of games on the road; at Denver on the 11th, then visiting Nevada on the 14th. Oregon returns to Matthew Knight Arena to host Cal-State Northridge at 7:00 pm.
