SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- When Oregon coach Jody Runge was watching game film of Kansas State, she was shocked by what she saw.

"It was like looking in the mirror," said the coach of the Ducks (No. 9 ESPN/USA Today, No. 10 AP). "They could shoot from the perimeter and had a strong inside game just like us."

	Kansas State' s Olga Firsova and Oregon's Brianne Meharry fight for position under the boards on Friday.

Oregon (6-0) was a little better than its mirror image and beat the Wildcats 79-69 Friday night in the opening round of the inaugural Women's Sports Foundation Basketball Classic.

Angelina Wolvert, Oregon's 6-foot-3 junior forward, said facing Kansas State's 6-6 senior center Olga Firsova was just like practicing against teammate Jenny Mowe, the Lady Ducks' 6-5 junior post player.

"I play against big people all the time," said Wolvert, who had 18 points and nine rebounds. "I face Jenny Mowe. That's why I wasn't too frustrated when (Firsova) blocked some of my shots."

Kansas State (5-3) had whittled Oregon's 43-34 halftime lead to 45-40 with 18:33 left when Nicky Ramage, Kansas State's leading scorer, left with four fouls at 17:41.

Still, Wildcats coach Deb Patterson felt her team had a chance to win, but mistakes, including 22 turnovers, hurt her team.

"We failed to execute and that's what separates you from the good teams. All night we failed to answer the bell," she said.

The Lady Ducks took advantage of Ramage's absence and pushed the lead to 59-46 with 12:08 left.

But Runge knew Kansas State wasn't through.

"Kansas State can score and they don't go away. That's to be expected of them," she said.

Ramage eventually returned with 6:01 left and Kansas State went on an 18-10 run to cut its deficit to 67-64 with 3:19 remaining.

"I felt our defense would get us through. These are the best competitors I know and I had faith they wouldn't let it get away," Runge said.

After Shaquala Williams, who led Oregon with 22 points, scored to make it 69-64 with 2:55 left, Kansas State was whistled for a shot clock violation.

Oregon responded with a 10-5 run, including six points by Wolvert, to close the game.

Nicole Strange added 11 points for Oregon.

Kim Woodlee and Firsova each had 16 points for Kansas State, while April Sailors added 13. Ramage finished with four points on 1-for-5 shooting.