SALT LAKE CITY – Utah erased a 15-point second-half deficit, and proved why they are the two-time defending Mountain West Conference champions, sending Tuesday night’s game in overtime and exiting the Jon Huntsman Center with an 89-86 victory over Oregon.

A three-pointer at the top of the arc from Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List selection Kalee Whipple with two seconds to go in regulation sent the game into overtime, but it was point guard Janita Badon who took things over in the closing moments of regulation.

Oregon held a 73-58 advantage with 6:00 to go, but by the 4:00 mark, Utah cut the Ducks’ lead to single digits, 73-64, on a Badon lay-in.

A jumper from Taylor Lilley had Oregon back up by double-digits, 78-67, with 2:35 left in the second half, but Utah ended regulation on a 13-2 run. Oregon’s only bucket after Lilley’s was an inside layin from Victoria Kenyon with 16 seconds on the clock.

Whipple drained a three-pointer on the wing with 2:12 remaining, and Badon took over scoring seven points in the final two minutes, before Whipple’s game-tying bucket from long distance.

Oregon is now 9-3 while Utah improves to 7-4.

Once again rebounding proved to be the Ducks’ Achilles heel as Oregon was outrebounded 48-33. The Utes scored 13-second chance points off 19 offensive rebounds.

Badon finished the game with 29 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Whipple added a double-double of 25 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Taryn Wicijowski added 23 points and seven rebounds for the Utes.

Oregon was without three key players down the stretch as Nia Jackson fouled out with 38.5 seconds left in regulation, while Jasmin Holliday and Nicole Canepa picked up their fifth fouls in overtime.

Four Oregon players finished in double figures led by Amanda Johnson’s 20 points, three blocks and three steals. Lilley added 18 points, six assists, four steals and a career-high three blocks, while Kenyon scored a career-high 16 points, draining a career-high four three-pointers. Nicole Canepa added 10 points.

Seven of eight players who appeared in the game scored for Oregon, as the Ducks shot 50.0 percent, but a paltry 23.1 percent (3-of-13) in overtime.

UO’s 9-3 start to the season is its best since the 2005-06 season, since before Lilley and senior Micaela Cocks were on campus.
Oregon also posted season high in blocks (nine) and steals (16).

Utah shot 45.3 percent from the floor, but made 34 trips to the free-throw line, converting 23 of those opportunities. The Ducks were 8-of-13 from the charity stripe.

Not known for being a high-scoring team, Utah stayed close with the Ducks in the first half as Oregon went into the break with a 43-37 lead.

Oregon shot a prolific 60 percent (18-of-30) from the floor in the first half led by Johnson’s 11 points.
Wicijowski led Utah with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting. As a team, Utah shot 51.6 percent from the floor on 16-of-31 shooting, but the

Ducks did force 12 turnovers running their full-court pressure.

The Ducks had a 16-9 advantage with 15:15 to go after a bucket from Canepa, but Utah regrouped and went on a 10-0 run, taking a 19-16 advantage.

Near the end of the half, Oregon went on a run of its own. After trailing 27-26 with 8:29 on the clock, the Ducks outscored the Utes 14-7 over the next six minutes taking a 40-34 lead, and maintaining that six-point margin until the break.

NOTES 
Micaela Cocks went without a three-pointer, ending her streak at 27...Taylor Lilley made two three-pointers, and now needs eight to break UO all-time record…Oregon is now winless in Salt Lake City in its last four attempts.

UP NEXT
Oregon returns to Mac Court to open the Pac-10 season against Washington on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010 with tip set for 7 p.m. The Ducks will host Washington State at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 3.

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.

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. Sunday, Jan. 3 vs. Washington State is “BI-Mart Family Day” at McArthur Court. Shoe your BI-Mart card at the ticket window on the day of the game and receive admission for two adults and unlimited children for only $20.

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.

MAC COURT MEMORIES
The Oregon Athletics Department wants fans to submit their favorite Mac Court memories online and at all home basketball games. Duck fans can write-in their favorite memory of McArthur Court and/or send pictures in to athletics@uoregon.edu (all submissions become the property of the athletic department and will not be returned).