Oregon Whips WSU
Rick Morgan

More than anything else Oregon's 64-45 victory over Washington State Thursday night at McArthur Court demonstrated that youthful inexperience is beginning to fade with the Duck's freshman frontline, and coach Bev Smith has to be pleased with what she is seeing develop.

For most of the season sophomore guard Taylor Lilley's outside shooting has been the barometer of Oregon's fortunes. and now that conference play is underway, opposing teams have made it a point to address her defensively, leaving the Ducks punchless against the league's better teams.

Against the Cougars, Lilley was content to settle for a half dozen points while watching her freshman front court put together perhaps their best game for the Ducks. Nicole Canepa (12 pts.), Ellyce Ironmonger (10), Victoria Kenyon (8) and Ellie Manou (6) combined for 36 points thanks in no small part to Lilley's four assists and Tamika Nurse's career high six assists.

The Cougars had no effective answer for the Ducks bigs on the glass as well, Oregon out rebounded WSU 46-32.

Canepa's dozen led the team in scoring as the Ducks shot a pedestrian 40% from the floor.

Oregon's defensive effort held the Cougars to just under 26% shooting and forced WSU into 17 turnovers as the Ducks improved their conference record to 3-3 in conference and 9-8 overall.

"We've really been trying to establish that inside presence," said Oregon coach Bev Smith. "With our young players it's been a process. They've really made some improvements."

"We have to be consistent in our offensive execution. We've got some things to work on. We rebounded the ball well, and we passed it well tonight."

Ellie Manou acknowledged that inexperience is becoming less a factor for her and her frontcourt mates. "We're determined and we don't give up," she said. "We're freshmen and we do make mistakes, but we try our hardest for the team. I think being young, it's taken us a while to get used to it. (but) in practice, we've been going at it hard."