EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon lost a heartbreaker on Saturday night as Wisconsin’s Lin Zastrow rimmed in the game winner as the buzzer sounded to give the Badgers a 58-57 victory over the Ducks on Saturday night at McArthur Court.

Oregon looked to have the upper hand as Taylor Lilley drained a three-pointer from four feet behind the line to give UO a 57-56 lead with four seconds remaining.

Wisconsin immediately inbounded the ball and took a final shot, but an inadvertent whistle from the official gave Wisconsin a timeout with 2.4 seconds remaining. Lilley knocked the ball out of bounds, bringing the clock down to 1.8 seconds remaining.

The Badgers inbounded the ball with a lob to Zastrow on the baseline, who turned and rimmed in the game-winner just before the buzzer sounded.

The Ducks are now 4-1 on the season and 1-1 at the World Vision Invitational. The Badgers improve to 5-1 on the year and 2-0 at the Invite.

Oregon had a 54-53 lead on an Amanda Johnson jumper with 4:11 remaining, as both teams combined to miss eight field goal attempts over the next four minutes before Alyssa Karel’s baseline three-pointer gave Wisconsin a 56-54 advantage with 10 seconds to go.

Oregon held a 10-point second-half lead at one point, but it slowly evaporated as Wisconsin went on a 16-5 run from the 13:27 until the 6:38 mark.

Wisconsin retook the lead, 49-48, at the6:38 mark on a three-pointer from Taylor Wurtz.

Johnson led the Ducks with a game-high 19 points, tying her career high, while Taylor Lilley added 12 points and Micaela Cocks chipped in 10. Nicole Canepa added a game-high 10 rebounds.

Wisconsin was led by Karel and Tara Steinbauer’s 14 points apiece. Zastrow chipped in 12.

The Ducks opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers from Cocks and Nia Jackson, and led by as many as seven, 35-28, at the 19:05 mark of the second half.

That lead climbed to double digits, 44-34, on Johnson’s third three-pointer of the game, as the Ducks shot 6-of-11 from the floor in the first 6:34 of the second half.

Oregon held a slight 29-26 advantage at the half despite shooting just .296 from the floor and committing 14 turnovers. Of Oregon’s 27 field goal attempts, 12 were from beyond the three-point line in the first half. For the game, the Ducks took 52 attempts, 24 from behind the arc.

Johnson led the Ducks with 10 first-half points, including two baskets from long distance.

The Ducks’ 29 first half points was their lowest halftime total of the year. No team led by more than three points in the first 20 minutes, and the score was tied nine times.

Wisconsin shot just .281 in the first half and turned the ball over on 12 occasions. Steinbauer led the Badgers with 12.

UP NEXT   
Oregon will host Portland State at 2:30 p.m. in the finale of the World Vision Invitational at Mac Court on Sunday. Following the game, the Tournament MVP and all-tourney team will be announced.

Remember, for fans unable to make it to Mac Court, Sunday’s game will be aired on KSCR 1320 AM in the Eugene/Springfield area, as well as a live video/audio broadcast available on the O-Zone.

The first game of the day with Cal State Fullerton and Wisconsin will tip at noon.

BI- Mart is sponsoring 2-FOR-1 tickets each day of the tournament. Show your BI-Mart card at the ticket window to purchase two reserved tickets for the price of one.

The Ducks will also be partnering with World Vision’s “Operation Safety Net,” which distributes treated mosquito nets worldwide.

Insecticide treated bed nets help prevent the spread of malaria, which is transmitted by a common mosquito that flourishes in more than 100 countries worldwide.  Just a $6 donation will purchase one treated bed net.

During the three-game tournament, World Vision will be on hand at McArthur Court to accept donations toward its cause. If you are unable to make it to the games, you can donate online at www.worldvision.org/endmalaria.

Notes:  Micaela Cocks opened the second half with a three-pointer, and has now knocked down a three-pointer in 21 straight games dating back to last season...Micaela Cocks has reached double figures in five consecutive games.

THIRD GAME
Cal State Fullerton 79, Portland State 72 (OT)

Cal State Fullerton improved to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 at the World Vision Invitational with a 79-72 overtime win over Portland State.

With the loss, the Vikings fell to 2-4 on the year and 0-2 at this weekend’s tournament.

The Titans had six players in double figures led by Lyndsey Grove’s 18 points. Jenna Breite added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Kelli Valentine led Portland State with 17 points, while Claire Faucher added 10 points and 12 assists.