Ducks end EWU’s year

EUGENE, Ore. – Micaela Cocks scored 16 points to lead five players in double figures and Oregon marked its return to the postseason with a 95-66 victory against Eastern Washington Thursday night in a Women’s National Invitation Tournament first-round game at McArthur Court.

Amanda Johnson added 15 points for the Ducks (17-15), while Jasmin Holliday had 14, Nicole Canepa 13 and Nia Jackson 12.

Johnson also had 10 rebounds while Taylor Lilley scored nine points on three 3-pointers to move into the NCAA’s single-season top 10 for 3-pointers with 115. The senior guard is in a three-way tie for eighth with Danielle Viglione (Texas) and Karen Middleton (South Carolina).

Oregon, which played into the third round of the WNIT in 2007 and was the tournament champion in 2002, will host New Mexico in the second round Tuesday.

Brianne Ryan scored 15 to lead the Eagles (19-12), who won the Big Sky Conference regular-season title before losing in the semifinals of the conference tournament. They were playing their first postseason game since 1987 and are still searching for their first postseason win.

Nicole Scott added 11 points and Breauna Russell and Chene Cooper added 10 each for Eastern Washington, which played without starting guard Kyla Evans. The junior missed her second game with a back injury. Evans is the Eagles’ second-leading scorer at 9.4 points per game.

Oregon’s second game against the Eagles this season was just as dominating as its first. The Ducks beat Eastern Washington 86-48 at Mac Court in their season opener on Nov. 16, and took control of Thursday’s game with a 33-4 run in the first half that started with 18 straight points.