LARAMIE, Wyo.  – When Oregon needed her most, Oregon senior guard Micaela Cocks took over on the offensive end and led the Ducks to a 78-66 victory over Wyoming on Sunday afternoon at Arena Auditorium.

A one-time 22-point advantage was dwindled to as little as nine as Wyoming opened the second half on a 15-9 run, but Cocks scored 15 of her  team-leading 17 points in the second half to lead Oregon to its ninth  win of the season.

The Ducks, now 9-2, are off to their best start since the 2004-05 season – the last time Oregon advanced to the NCAA Tournament – and have matched their win total (nine) from last year’s 9-21 campaign.

Wyoming, 9-2, was handed its first loss at home this season.

Oregon was without senior guard Taylor Lilley for almost the entire second half, as the sharp-shooter left the game with about 17:30 to play after suffering a right ankle injury. Before the setback, Lilley had been leading the Ducks with 14 points and a game and career-high six steals.

Wyoming closed within nine, 52-43, after two quick three-pointers from Aubrey Vandiver with 14: 53 to go. But the Ducks responded with a 9-2 run thanks to buckets from Nia Jackson, Kristi Fallin, Victoria Kenyon and Cocks that had Oregon back up 61-45 with 10:22 remaining.

It wasn’t just Cocks on the scoreboard for Oregon as Jackson scored 14 and added three assists and three steals. Sophomore forward Amanda Johnson added 10 points and six rebounds, while Kenyon had a solid effort with eight points and a team-leading eight rebounds.

The Ducks shot 46.2 percent (30-of-65) for the game, dropping off more than 10 points from the first half to second as the elevation of 7,220 feet began to take its toll.

Oregon outscored Wyoming 42-18 in the paint, and scored 27 points off Wyoming’s 26 turnovers.

Wyoming was led by Vandiver’s double-double of a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Hillary Carlson added 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Cowgirls shot 34.9 percent from the floor.

Oregon’s fast-paced offense and high-pressure defense frustrated Wyoming as the Ducks went into the locker room with a healthy 45-28 advantage.

The Cowgirls shot just 32.3 percent from the floor in the first half, as the Ducks forced 21 turnovers to get Wyoming out of its rhythm.

Lilley led Oregon with 14 points, but seven Ducks got on the scoreboard in the first half as Oregon shot 51.5 percent (17-of-33).

Oregon led by as many as 22 in the first half, but Wyoming did close the first period on a 10-5 run.

The Ducks established a 20-point lead, 24-4, with 11:27 remaining in the first half after Lilley converted a layup on the dish from Lindsey Saffold.

Oregon’s full-court pressure helped the Ducks surge to an 11-0 lead, holding Wyoming without a field goal until the 14:17 mark, as the Cowgirls went 0-for-9 during the stretch and committed nine turnovers.

NOTES 
Oregon received nine points in this week’s AP Poll…Micaela Cocks second-half three-pointer extended her streak of games with a trey to 27…Cocks is the only UO player to reach double figures in all 11 games this season…Cocks has now led Oregon in scoring for three consecutive game…Oregon’s nine wins matches its total from last season.

UP NEXT
The Ducks close out the non-conference portion of their schedule on the road at Utah on Tuesday. Oregon will return to Mac Court to open the Pac-10 season against Washington on Jan. 1, 2010

TICKETS
Tickets are still available for Oregon’s Pac-10 opener vs. Washington at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 1. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE, calling 1-800-WEB-FOOT, or in person at the Casanova Center ticket office. Tickets can also be purchased at the McArthur Court ticket window 90 minutes prior to game time. The doors to Mac Court open 60 minutes prior to tip.

FORMER DUCK GREATS RETURN TO MAC COURT
The University of Oregon Athletic Department announced its plan to celebrate the final Pac-10 Conference women’s basketball season played at McArthur Court. Each Pac-10 game this season will have a pre-game ceremony featuring at least one honorary captain. In addition, the first 1,000 fans through the doors will receive a 3x7 commemorative ticket highlighting the accomplishments of the honorary captain(s) for that contest. Cathrine Kraayeveld is scheduled to be the honorary captain for Friday’s Pac-10 opener with Washington, while Jody Runge will return to be the honorary captain for the Oregon-Washington State game on Sunday, Jan. 3.

PROMOTIONS
Oregon fans can pick up a “Jerry’s 2-for-1” coupon at any Eugene Jerry’s Home Improvement location and get two reserved tickets for the price of one for UO’s Pac-10 opener vs. Washington on Jan. 1, 2010.

GO DUCKS LIVE
Don’t forget to tune into Go Ducks Live with Jerry Allen on GoDucksTV from 8-10 a.m., Monday-Friday. The all-access morning show is also simulcast on KSCR 1320 AM. Coach Westhead is scheduled to call in from the road at 9:15 a.m., Monday, Dec. 21..