From The Press Box: The First Test - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site

THE FIRST TEST!!
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

Oregon had its first test of the season on Wednesday night at Mac Court, and the Ducks passed with a 47-45 victory over their male practice players.

With the women’s team led by head coach Bev Smith and assistants Willette White and Velaida Harris, the practice players were coached by Phil Brown.

The teams played a 20-minute first half, and the Oregon women sprinted out to a 32-25 lead at the break.

But Brown coached up the men’s side, making things interesting in the later going.

Why were the Ducks scrimmaging the practice players’ side, because Oregon was limited to nine with some-last minute injuries.

The Ducks were without the services of Taylor Lilley (shin splints), Lindsey Saffold (toe sprain) and Victoria Kenyon (back irritation). All three have minor injuries and were held out of the scrimmage for precautionary reasons.

Both Tay and Lindsey are not expected to play on Sunday in the team's exhibition against Northwest Christian University, but Vic should see action.

Smith used the starting five of Micaela Cocks, Tatianna Thomas, Rita Kollo, Amanda Johnson and Ellie Manou in the scrimmage.

Tied at 43 with about two minutes left, Cocks made her way to the foul line and sank two, but Brown’s squad responded scoring in the paint, an avenue the team used often in the 10-minute second half to make up for its deficit.

Kollo responded with a drive and bucket of her own - her first field goal of the scrimmage - to put Oregon up by two once again. A turnover on the practice players’ side made the scrimmage look like a lock for the ladies, but Cocks was stripped of the rock with just seconds left, giving Brown’s side a last second three-point attempt for the win that fell off the mark.

Observations from the action

-    the team played a 20-minute first half and a 10-minute second
-    Cocks hit 3 three-pointers during the contest and finished the game with a team-leading 13 points
-    Manou’s conditioning and work over the summer continues to pay off...she scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds as the Ducks’ most active player in the post...the coaching staff also went to Manou twice on back-to-back possessions late in the scrimmage, and the Sydney native connected on both.
-    Smith used her starting lineup late in the scrimmage, but with under two minutes left, subbed in Ellyce Ironmonger for AJ
-    Speaking of AJ, the freshman seems to have a bottomless tank...never running out of gas...she saw time at both forward positions and scored five points (including a trey) while grabbing five rebounds...doesn’t have a shot on the floor she doesn’t like
-    Sticking to the freshmen...Darriel Gaynor hit a three-pointer and also contributed with some hard-nosed defense...Jasmin Holliday found her way to three rebounds
-    Nicole Canepa took a hard fall to the floor in the first half but toughed it out, and scored six points and added two rebounds
-    Ellyce and Rita each had four points in the scrimmage
-    The teams combined for 33 turnovers in the game...male practice squad with 18, the Oregon women with 15
-    Oregon had its biggest lead of the scrimmage 26-16 in the first half after AJ’s 3-pointer and an open look for Ellie under the basket.
-    Over 70 fans (thanks for counting Tash) chose to miss the Philadelphia Phillies win the Word Series in five games, and instead watched the Oregon women take the floor.