Nov. 18, 2008

Box Score

Eugene, Ore. - The Pacific women's basketball team just missed a Duck hunt to open the 2008-09 season as the Tigers narrowly missed on their upset bid against Oregon, 76-71, on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Following the loss, the Tigers fell to 0-1 on the season, while Oregon moved to 2-0.

The Tigers got on the board first with back-to-back buckets to start the game. Seniors Janae Young (Sacramento, Calif.) and Amy VanHollebeke (Carlsbad, Calif.) drained mid-range jumpers to give Pacific an early 4-0 lead.

Oregon bounced right back to take a 10-4 lead, but the Tigers answered with their first three-pointer of the season by Young, followed by sophomore Jennifer Fath (Carrollton, Texas) converting the traditional three-point play with a layup and free throw to tie the game at 10-10 with 15:30 to go.

The Ducks created some separation over the next four minutes, moving out to a 20-12 lead. Pacific held steady, chipping away at the lead, then pulling within a basket at the 3:44 mark behind a three-ball from sophomore Gretchen Tiernan (Roseville, Calif.), making it a 36-34 contest.

Oregon, however, closed the half on a 10-4 run to head into the locker room with a 46-38 lead.

Head coach Lynne Roberts halftime speech inspired her troops as Pacific roared in the opening minutes of the second half. The Tigers outscored the Ducks 19-9 over the first eight minutes to snag a 57-55 lead.

Five different Tigers made scoring contributions during the Pacific surge, led by five points from Young and junior Jasmine Dana (Bakersfield, Calif.). Dana gave the Tigers the lead with 11:51 remaining by sinking a three-pointer from the corner.

Playing on one of the toughest courts for a road team to win on, Oregon rallied behind their fans and the play of Ellie Manou to retake the lead. Manou scored the next six points of the game and 12 over the next eight minutes to lead the Ducks on 16-4 run giving Oregon a 71-61 lead with 3:31 left to play.

With every opportunity to roll over, the Tigers dug in their heels for one more battle. Young put the Tigers back on track with a short jumper, then senior Amber Simmons (Chico, Calif.) imposed her will on Oregon. Simmons forced a steal, grabbed an offensive rebound, then tossed in a put back to make it 71-65 with 1:58 left. Following an Oregon deuce, Simmons drained a three from the top of the key to pull the Tigers within five at 73-68 with 1:20 to go.

Moments later, Fath delivered her second critical three-point play on a layup and a free throw to make it a one possession game at 73-71 with 25 seconds left in regulation.

Oregon converted one of two free throws, giving the Tigers a chance to tie in the closing moments. Unfortunately the Tigers were unable to fill the hoop a final time and eventually fell, 76-71.

Simmons led Pacific with 17 points, while Young finished with 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Micaela Cocks finished with a game-high 25 points, while Manou posted 23 points.

The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 22 as Pacific opens its home schedule against Northern Colorado at 5:00 p.m. in the Alex G. Spanos Center.