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Oregon aims to continue sizzling start against Bethune-Cookman

Dec 11, 2006 - 7:22 PM Bethune Cookman (2-3) at No. 24 Oregon (7-0) 10:00 pm EST

EUGENE, Oregon (Ticker) -- Tajuan Porter and Oregon are in unfamiliar territory.

Off to their best start in a decade, the 24th-ranked Ducks aim for their eighth straight win Monday when they host Bethune-Cookman.

After struggling to a 15-18 record last season, Oregon has gotten off to a flying start in 2005-06, recording impressive wins over Georgetown and Rice over the last three weeks.

The Ducks are off to their best start since 1996-97, when they opened the campaign with 10 consecutive wins. Much of their early success can be attributed to Porter, a 5-6 freshman who is averaging a team-leading 20.1 points per game.

Porter has slumped over his last three games, however, averaging 12.0 points and shooting just 26 percent (12-of-46) from the floor.

Oregon overcame another poor performance by Porter in Saturday's 68-56 victory over Nebraska.

Bryce Taylor scored 18 points while Maarty Leunen and Aaron Brooks scored 15 points each for the Ducks, who forced 18 turnovers.

Bethune-Cookman hopes to bounce back from Saturday's 72-49 loss to Oregon State. Damitrius Coleman scored 10 points to pace the Wildcats, who have lost three of their last four games.