Author: joelami

By: Joe Lami

Washington did on Sunday what no Pac-12 team has been able to do since 2009, and that is defeat Stanford on home court, thus ending Stanford’s 62-game Pac-12 road winning streak.  The Huskies defeated the Cardinal 87-82, in what is one of the biggest upsets of the season.  Washington coming into the game had a record of 12-10 and 6-5 overall, but the Huskies were able to get by the third-ranked Cardinal.

Stanford was boasting a record of 22-1, with 21 wins coming consecutively.  The last loss that Stanford had was November 11, as they fell on the road to the number one team in the country in Connecticut.

The first half had a lot to do with Stanford’s loss, as they went into the half trailing 41-34.  It was a poor start for the Cardinal, only scoring six points in the first five minutes of the game, giving Washington a 14-6 lead.  Stanford would be able to regain the lead at the 11:48 mark of the first half, 20-19, on a three-pointer drained by Bonnie Samuelson.  However, Mercedes Wetmore answered with a three of her own to give the Huskies the 22-19 lead.  Washington would be able to hold on to the lead for the rest of the first half.

Chiney Ogwumike would get the first bucket of the second half.  Stanford would push to tie the game in the first five minutes of the half and they were able to pull within two, 48-46, with 15:07 remaining in the game.  Stanford would not be able to buy a basket for the next four minutes, allowing the Huskies to go on a 10-0 run to break open the game.  Stanford would try and catch Washington, but the lead was too much for the Cardinal, giving Washington their second win against a ranked opponent on the season.

Washington had an outstanding five players get into double figures, all of them being starters.  Kelsey Plum led the way with 23 points.  Wetmore contributed 18, Aminah Williams had the only Washington double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Jazmine Davis scored 14, and Talia Walton finished out the starters with 13.  Only three points came off of the Husky bench, and it came from the hands of Chantel Osahor.

Ogwumike led the Cardinal in the loss with 23 points, she also brought down 14 rebounds.  Mikaela Ruef had a career performance, as she gained career highs in both points with 16 and rebounds with 22. Samuelson came off of the bench to add 14, she went 4 of 11 from beyond the arc.  Lili Thompson scored 13 points in the loss as well.

Stanford had an awful day shooting with 35% from the field, where as Washington was absolutely astonishing, shooting 47% from the field. Stanford also outrebounded the Huskies 57-38.

The loss breaks the 21-game winning streak of the Cardinal, pushing their record to 22-2.  The loss also means an almost sure drop in the rankings, as they recently moved up to being ranked third in the country.  Stanford will try and bounce back this Friday, as they host the 11^th ranked Sun Devils.

By Joe Lami

Friday night marked yet another win for the Cardinal (22-1,11-0) as they got past the Washington State Cougars (12-11,6-5) 77-69.  Stanford was held to just 28 first half points, but came out of the half strong putting up 49, and that would be just enough for them to gain their 21^st consecutive win.  Stanford has never lost to Washington State, and that trend continues as well with an overall record of 56-0.

Chiney Ogwumike had a career game, leading all scorers with 36 points, tying her previous career high.  She also brought down 17 rebounds.  Two other Cardinal scorers also found double digits as, Juniors Taylor Greenfield and Amber Orrange added 11 respectively.  Greenfield also just landed one rebound shy of recording a double double. Freshman, Karlie Samuelson continues to impress, as she added nine.

Washington State saw strong performances from their stars as well, Lia Galderia led the Cougars with 21 points.  Other starters, Tia Presley finished with 20 points and Sage Romberg had 12.  The Cardinal held the Cougars just seven bench points, making a huge difference.

Stanford also dominated the boards once again, as they out-rebounded the Cougars 46-30.  Not a single Washington State player got into, double digit rebounds.  The only downside in the Cardinal’s performance was that once again is that they turned the ball over way too much, finishing with 14 turnovers.

Stanford hopes to continue their dominance over the Pac-12, as they travel across the state of Washington to take on the Huskies on Sunday.

By: Joe Lami

The Stanford Cardinal (21-1, 10-0) took the one-hour bus ride across the bay on Sunday to take on their arch rival in Cal (14-7, 6-4).  Stanford was looking for the win to complete the sweep after they defeated the Bears on Thursday at Maples Pavilion by the final score of 70-64.  They got just that, defeating the Bears on Sunday by the final score of 79-64. 

California came into this game with some confidence, even though they lost the game at Stanford on Thursday, as they were able to comeback from a 30-point deficit to only lose by five.  Their confidence showed early, as they jumped on Stanford first.  Brittany Boyd, the Bears leading scorer from Thursday, was the first to score, as she hit an early three to give the Bears the lead.  It wouldn’t take much longer for Stanford to answer, as Freshman Lili Thompson hit a three of her own.  The game was tied at three just 1:30 into the game. 

The game would go back and forth for the next eight minutes until Stanford took the 13-12 lead with the help of a Chiney Ogwumike layup.  There would be no more lead changes after that, as Stanford was able to hold the lead the rest of the game.  Stanford would extend their lead to ten going into the half, as they led the Bears 35-25.

Coming out of halftime, the teams would continue to trade baskets.  Stanford did end up winning the second half 44-39, with the help of free throws.  Stanford ended the game shooting 24 of 30 from the foul line.

Ogwumike led all scorers with 29; she also added eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks, for what was one of her most impressive all-around performances of the year.  Karlie Samuelson continues to shine off of the bench, as the Freshman scored 16 points.  Amber Orrange was the only other Cardinal to get into double figures, as she added 13.  Mikaela Ruef had another outstanding performance contributing in everyway.  The red-shirt senior had 11 rebounds, nine points, five assists and a block.

Boyd once again led the Bears, as she finished the game with 20 points.  Other starter, Mikayla Lyles, had 16 points.  Reshanda Gray was held scoreless on Thursday and only added seven on Sunday.

California did one thing really well, as they held the Cardinal to only three offensive rebounds.  Stanford ended up winning the rebound battle 33-30.

The Bears continue to slump in Pac-12 play, as their handed their seventh loss of the season and the fourth in the last six games.  Cal’s record drops to 14-7, and they take on the Huskies of Washington in Seattle on Friday.

Stanford continues their amazing run, as they gain their 21^st win of the season and the 20^th straight.  The number four team in the country takes on the Washington State Cougars next.  

By Joe Lami

The Stanford Cardinal (20-1, 9-0) hosted rival California (14-6,6-2), on Thursday at Maples for the first of two contests this week.  Stanford defeated their rival by the final score of 70-65. The Cardinal were coming into the game riding a 18 game winning streak, one of the longest in the country.  Stanford was also looking for revenge, as the last loss at Maples Pavilion came from the hands of the Cal Bears.  Since then, the Cardinal have won 19 in a row at home.

Stanford dominated the first half, seeing great production from Karlie Samuelson, Chiney Ogwumike and Erica McCall. The Cardinal went into halftime break with a 18-point lead at 43-25, which included a 12-0 Stanford run to end the half.

The Bears had a lot of trouble in the first half, as the first 18-points were scored by only two players, Afure Jemerigbe and Brittany Boyd.  Each shared the load scoring nine.  The next seven points would come off of the bench, as Hind Ben Abdelkader hit a three, as Gennifer Brandon and Courtney Range each had two.  The difference maker in the first half was that star forward, Reshanda Gray got into early foul trouble, as she picked up two early fouls, and sat for the final 13 minutes of the half, forcing her to have zero first half points.

Stanford continued to dominate to start the second half, as they went on a 15-4 run in the first six and a half minutes.   However, the struggle wouldn’t last much longer, as Cal started to light it up from the field and would go on a 14-0 run to eventually cut the Stanford lead to 17 with nine minutes to go.  Cal would continue storm back, as the lead would be cut to 11 with just over three minutes remaining.  Cal made it even closer, as they cut it to five with 14 seconds remaining.  However, Stanford would be able to hold on, as Cal was just unable to complete what would have been one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

Stanford was led by Ogwumike, who finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, on her way to her 16^th double-double of the season and the 74^th of her career. Samuelson continues to impress, as she contributed 14 off of the bench.  Taylor Greenfield, was the only other Cardinal to get into double figures with ten points.

Boyd led all scorers and the Bears with 25 points.  Jemerigbe would also have a strong game, as she added 18.  Brandon had eight 2^nd half points and finished the game with a total of ten.  The key factor for the Bears was the fact that Grey was kept scoreless, going 0 for 3 from the field. She got in foul trouble early in the game and didn’t see much playing time in the 2^nd half.

Stanford should be worried with their performance in this win.  Even though the Cardinal got the win, they let a 30 point lead go out the window, and were just able to hang on in this on by the skin of their teeth.  This should be especially worrisome because the Cardinal let gave this lead up at home.  It makes one wonder, what is going to happen on Sunday when the Cardinal have to travel across the bay to take on the Bears at Haas Pavilion.

By: Joe Lami

 The Stanford Cardinal (19-1, 8-0) played host to the USC Trojans (14-7,7-2) on Monday night and defeated them by the final score of 86-59.  USC was coming into the game with confidence after a win against California on Friday, but it wouldn’t be enough to get past the Cardinal.

USC had a good start to the game, as they lead 5-2 just 1:40 into the first half.  However, it wouldn’t last long, as Stanford would take the lead just 50 seconds later.  Once the Cardinal took the lead, they wouldn’t look back, as they controlled the Trojans the entire night.

The Cardinal shot 51% from the field.  Leading the way for Stanford was Chiney Ogwumike notched 30 points and 12 rebounds in the 34 minutes she played.  Also completing a double-double was Mikaela Ruef, as the Redshirt Senior added 11 points and ten rebounds.  Guards Lili Thompson and Amber Orrange both added 12 for the Cardinal.  Freshman, Karlie Samuelson came off of the bench to score ten points, with six coming from beyond the arc.

Stanford dominated the points in the paint, as well as they outscored USC 44-28.  Stanford also dominated the battle of the boards 42-28, and holding the Trojans to only eight offensive rebounds.  USC, however, torched the Cardinal on fast break points shutting them out 8-0.

Ariya Crook lead the Trojans in scoring with 18 points.  Cassie Harberts was the only other Lady of Troy to get into double digits, as she added 17.

Stanford extends their winning streak to 18 games, and remains perfect in conference play.  However, up next for the Cardinal is the toughest part of their schedule in the Cal Bears.  The Big Game series is this coming up this weekend, as Stanford hosts the Bears on Friday, and travels across the bay for a Sunday contest.

By: Joe Lami

The Stanford Cardinal (17-1,7-0) returned to Maples Pavilion on Friday night, where they hosted the UCLA Bruins (10-10,4-4). The Cardinal were victorious, as they defeated the Bruins by the final score of 72-55.

It was a tight one at the half, where the Bruins were only down by one.  The tightness continued throughout, as it seemed like the Bruins were always at the heels of the Cardinal.  Stanford is one of those teams that usually sees a point where they breakaway from their opponent.  In this game, it never had that feeling.

Fouls were being called early, as the referees weren’t allowing much contact.  Four total fouls were called in the first four-minutes.  The foul calling would continue in the first half, as Stanford went into the bonus just nine minutes into the game.  The first half saw a combined 17 fouls.  The second half would be the polar opposite of the first half, as it seemed like nothing was getting called.  There were some especially hard fouls that were going unnoticed.

Stanford started out of the gates strong leading 8-4 going into the first media break at the, with threes coming from Lili Thompson and Sara James. UCLA would battle their way back however, and would keep it close throughout the first half, which saw 12 different lead changes.  Stanford had its’ biggest lead of the first, of eight, at the 5:30 mark. UCLA minimized it though to end the half, as Stanford went in leading 36-35.

Stanford would come out of the half hot once again, as they went on a 13-4 run to start it off.  This would give Stanford the edge that they needed, as they were able to hold the lead for the rest of the game.  Stanford didn’t see it first double-digit lead until 12:05 into the second half.  Stanford would ride out the rest of the game towards a 72-55 victory.

Chiney Ogwumike led the way for the Cardinal, with 21 points and 15 rebounds to record her 14^th double-double of the season.  Thompson was second in scoring with 15, Eric McCall led the bench with 12, and James had 11, including going 3 for 3 from beyond the arc.  She ended up just one shy of her season high.

Atonye Nyingifa led the way for the Bruins with 18 points, as the 6^th-year Senior hit her average.  She also brought down eight rebounds, five of them coming on the offensive side of the ball.  Nirra Fields contributed 13, and was the only other Bruin to get into double digits in scoring.

There were two big stories on the night for the Cardinal, and they were having too many turnovers and giving up too many offensive rebounds.  The Cardinal ended the night with 16 turnovers, which lead to 14 points for UCLA.  The Bruins also brought down 16 offensive rebounds, which led to 11 2^nd chance points for UCLA.  Tara VanDerveer talked about both things after the game saying “I was really disappointed in the offensive rebounds, and the turnovers.  We need to do a better job keeping them off of the boards and do a better job of taking care of the ball.  It just gives us something to work on before Monday.”

The Cardinal extend their impressive winning streak to 17 games, and have until Monday before they host the USC Women of Troy.

 

 

 

 

By: Joe Lami

The Stanford Cardinal returned to the floor on Monday, where they battled against the 14^th-ranked Arizona Sun Devils.  The Cardinal had been riding a 15 game winning streak entering the contest against the 15-2 Sun Devils. Stanford rolled over Arizona State 80-56.

Stanford was able to pull out the win due to a strong second half performance, as Arizona State did keep it fairly tight knit in the first half.  This was most part to Chiney Ogwumike getting into foul trouble early, something that the Cardinal have not seen so far this year.  Ogwumike was sat the last seven minutes of the first half, after she has picked up her second foul.  This was a good opportunity for the Sun Devils, as they trimmed the 11-point deficit down to seven going into halftime.

Ogwumike would re-enter to start the second half, and it would show, as the Cardinal started the half with a 9-0 run, to put the team up 44-28. The Cardinal would continue to roll to an easy victory 80-56.

Four different players hit double digits for the Cardinal, Ogwumike led the way with 30 points, 18 of which came in the second half.  Ogwumike didn’t just stop there, the Senior star also brought down 16 rebounds and added three blocks. Taylor Greenfield was the second leading scorer, as she came off of the bench to contribute 14.  Freshman, Lili Thompson and Karlie Samuelson each added 11 points.  Samuelson was extremely impressive from the foul line as she went six of seven.

Arizona State was led by a bench scorer, as Quinn Dornstauder scored 13.  Sophie Brunner was the only Sun Devil to get into double digits she had 12.

With the win, the Cardinal extend their conference road winning streak to 60 games, and hand the Sun Devils their third loss of the season, and their second of Pac-12 play.  The other loss came by the hands of Washington State, in the Pac-12 opener.

Stanford remains perfect in conference play as they are now 6-0, with a record of 17-1.  The UCLA Bruins are up next for the Cardinal, as they will host them on Friday.

By: Joe Lami

The Stanford Cardinal returned to action Friday night, as they took on the Arizona Wildcats at the McKale Center in Tucson.   Stanford was heading into the game with a record of 15-1 with 14 coming consecutively.  Friday night would be no different, as the Cardinal continued to cruise.  The Cardinal topped the Wildcats 96-52.  The win for Stanford marks the 23^rd time in a row that the Cardinal have knocked off the Wildcats and extends their current winning streak to 15 games.

The Wildcats were able to keep the game close until around eight minutes in, where the Cardinal would start a 34-18 run to end the half with the 52-31 lead.  The Cardinal would then come out and dominate the second half as well, only allowing 21 points.

Stanford held Arizona to only 39% from the field, while they shot an outstanding 64%.  The Cardinal were lead by Chiney Ogwumike who scored 24 points, missing only one from the field.  The all time Pac-12 leading rebounder added 12 to achieve the double-double.  Freshman, Karlie Samuelson, came off of the bench to add her career high 16 points.  Stanford was also 15 of 32 from beyond the arc as a team.

Kama Griffitts was the leading scorer for the Wildcats scoring 12.  Carissa Crutchfield was right behind her scoring nine, and Candice Warthen had eight.

The Arizona Wildcats drop their record to 4-12 on the season, and are still winless in Pac-12 play. It doesn’t get any easier, as they have to host the California Golden Bears next.

Stanford remains the fourth-ranked team in the country, and continues their dominance in Pac-12 play, making it 59 straight road wins.  The 16-1 Cardinal return to action on Sunday, as they travel to Tempe, to take on the other Arizona team, in the Sundevils.

By: Joe Lami

The Stanford Cardinal took to the road for the first of Pac-12 play on Friday, as they defeated the Utah Utes 87-61.   The Cardinal remain undefeated in Pac-12 play, as they beat both teams from Oregon last week, before going on the Utah and Colorado road trip this week.  The win ups the Cardinal record to 14-1, giving them 13 straight wins.  Stanford’s rank remains at number four, however it is at number one in the RPI ranking system.

Chiney Ogwumike led the Cardinal in scoring with 30 points.  The Senior All-American added nine rebounds.  Amber Orrange was the only other Cardinal scorer to reach double digits, as she recorded 14.  All Stanford starters got on the board in scoring as Sara James and Mikaela Ruef added eight, and freshman, Lili Thompson had six. Bonnie Samuelson came off of the bench and hit her only attempt of the night, as she knocked one down from beyond the arc in the nine minutes that she played.

The Cardinal out-rebounded the Utes by a substantial margin, winning the battle 43-28.  A large part was due to Reuf, as she led the team in rebounds, as she had 14 total, with 12 of them coming of the defensive side of the ball.

Utah had three different players reach double digits, as Forward Emily Potter led the team with 16.  Right behind her was Michelle Plouffe with 14 points, and Danielle Rodriguez had 11 points.  The three players combined for a total 41 points, leaving 20 to the rest of the team.  Utah also struggled shooting from the field as they shot only 39% from the field.

Utah’s record falls to 7-7, as they remain winless in Pac-12.  The Utes look to gain their first Pac-12 win of the season as they host the number 19 California Golden Bears on Sunday.

Stanford continues their first road Pac-12 road trip of the season with a trip to Boulder Colorado, as they take on the Buffs on Sunday.