Freshman forward Elle Manou scored a career high 18 points and Tamika Nurse added 16 to lead the Oregon Ducks to a 60-49 win over Oregon State Saturday afternoon at McArthur Court. With the win, Oregon completed the Civil War sweep of the Beavers, improved their record to 7-11 in Pac-10 play (13-16 overall) and now enter the conference tournament as the 7th seed and will face Washington State in Friday's opening bracket.
The evening was also an emotional "good-bye" to fifth year senior Kaela Chapdelaine, the team's captain and guiding force. After a career high 25 in her last game against UCLA, Chapdelaine left the scoring to others against the Beavers and her eight assists were a key element in the Duck's success in getting 22 points in the paint.
The visitors only held the lead twice - at 10-8 five minutes in and 12-11 two minutes later. Tamika Nurse's jumper gave Oregon a lead they would not relinquish, though they weren't able to completely distance themselves from the pesky visitors until the game's closing minutes.
Oregon took a five point lead into the break and pushed the margin to eight points before Oregon State quickly closed the gap to three points on three consecutive baskets by Tiffany Ducker, whose 17 points paced the Beavers.
Manou picked up a rebound bucket and then a cripple off a nice inside feed from Chapdelaine to rebuild Oregon's cushion as the game moved under the 6:00 minute mark, then following a pair of Tamika Nurse free throws, Manou sank another bucket from inside the key, giving the Ducks a six point lead.
But the Beavers hit a free throw and a jumper to get within three points as the game moved into the final two minutes.
"She (Manou) played a great game," said Oregon coach Bev Smith. "She's been developing, and evolving in her understanding of the game. Her capabilities and potential have always been there, and we just have to get her to play with more intensity like she did today."
Close games have frequently slipped from Oregon's grasp this season, but not on this night. Oregon reeled off the next seven points to end the suspense and to ensure the tears that marked the senior celebration for the gritty Chapdelaine weren't of disappointment.
For Chapdelaine, it was "pretty emotional. Saying goodbye is not easy. I talked to everyone about getting refocused and getting a win, because my teammates know that's all I care about."
"(The win) gives us momentum. We have a decent draw in the Pac-10 tournament. We feel good about ourselves. We are playing well, and we can go far in the Pac-10 tournament."
