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Taylor leads Oregon past Bethune-Cookman

Dec 12, 2006 - 5:10 AM EUGENE, Oregon (Ticker) -- Oregon needed a half to warm up to its spot in the rankings.

Bryce Taylor scored 21 points to lead four players in double figures as No. 24 Oregon pulled away in the second half for a 92-64 victory over Bethune-Cookman.

The Ducks (8-0) are off to their best start since the 1986-87 team opened the season with 10 straight wins. They entered the rankings earlier Monday and, after a slow start, eventually proved they belonged.

With Oregon leading, 28-26, with just under 6 1/2 minutes left in the half, Taylor scored eight points to help extend the lead to 41-32 at the break.

That momentum carried over to the second half as the Ducks used a 9-0 run to open the advantage to 53-36 with 16:20 to play and were never threatened thereafter.

"Bethune-Cookman did a good job in the first half of keeping us under control and keeping the game close," Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. "They shot the ball well and we had to make some defensive adjustments."

Taylor, a 6-5 junior swingman, finished 7-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-4 from the arc.

"(Taylor) just has grown up before our eyes and is at a great place with his game right now," Kent said.

The Ducks shot 63 percent (19-of-30) in the second half and were sparked by a pair of freshmen, 5-6 guard Tajuan Porter and reserve Joevan Catron, who was 6-of-6 for the game and finished with 15 points.

"We had a good chance to show off our bench in the second half tonight," Kent said. "If (Catron) would have been healthy all season and had had the opportunity to practice with us during the offseason instead of being forced to have (hip) surgery, then he could easily be one of our best players right now. He is a great 3-point shooter and a tremendous passer."

Porter's 3-pointer with 11:20 to play ballooned the margin to 65-42.

Jimmy Hudson scored 21 points on 8-for-14 shooting, including 5-of-6 from the arc, for the Wildcats, who have lost four of their last five. Hudson hit three 3-pointers in the first 5:07 to give them an early 11-10 lead.

Aaron Nelson scored 11 points and Josh Cummings added 10 for Bethune-Cookman (2-4).