Category: Uncategorized

By: Joe Lami

STANFORD, Calif.–

On Monday, it was the Stanford Cardinal that stormed the court, as they ended the longest winning streak in the country held by Connecticut at 47 games. On Thursday, it was the Texas Longhorns that did the storming, as they Stanford’s home winning streak at 28 games defeating them 87-81 in overtime.

Poor shooting is to blame for the loss, as Stanford had trouble all game, finishing just 36% from the field, and when it mattered most a dreadful 14% in overtime. The Cardinal’s problems also flooded into three-point territory as they finished the night 26% from beyond the arc. Taking way too many shots from beyond the arc as well, as they attempted 27. Stanford head coach, Tara VanDerveer, admitted it too “we took way too many perimeter shots”.

Texas, on the other hand, had no trouble scoring. They finished the night 49% from the field, and had four different players get into double digits. Nneka Enemkpali led the way with 18 points, Ariel Atkins added 16, including a perfect night from the charity strike. Kelsey Lang scored 14 and almost completed the double double, as she was just one rebound shy. Empress Davenport finished the night with 13 points.

“Texas was extremely motivated, they got the better of us,” said VanDerveer following the loss. The coach also added “Our team battled, but we didn’t have the pep in our step that we need. We didn’t play very well and still forced overtime”. It is also the first time in school history, where the Cardinal have played in back-to-back overtime games.

It was a back and forth affair, which saw seven different lead changes. However, Texas did dominate most of the night, as they led most of the way, with their biggest lead being ten. Stanford was down by nine with just over ten minutes to go, before they were able to turn it around and get the game close again. The Cardinal then went on a 7-0 run to make the game close once again.

The Cardinal gained the lead late in the game. However, Texas was able to tie it up with just one second remaining thanks to a drive by Davenport.

Thursday night was a major disappointment, especially after the win against the Huskies on Monday, but Lili Thompson views it as a learning experience “We definitely have things to work on. Even with beating UConn on Monday”.

Thompson led the way for the Cardinal for the third straight game, as she finished the night with 28 points. Amber Orrange was the only other Cardinal player to get into double figures, as she added 15 before fouling out in the 29 minutes that she played.

Thursday night saw a combined 51 fouls between the two squads. Three different players fouled out, two for Texas and one for Stanford. Seven other players got into foul trouble, with at least three fouls or more. Texas coach, Karen Aston, commented after the game “We’re an aggressive team, that’s our style. However, nobody wants that many fouls”.

For Texas, it is one of their biggest wins in school history, as it is the first time since February 1, 2009 where the Longhorns have defeated an AP Top 10 team. It also is the first time in the last six contest, where the Longhorns have come out on top of the Cardinal. “I’ve never experienced in four years, what I’m experiencing now,” commented Enemkpali.

The home winning streak is over at Maples at 28 games. The previous loss suffered on home court for the Cardinal was January 3^rd of last year to the #7 Cal Bears 67-55. They look to start a new streak next month against the Santa Clara Broncos, but before they can do that they have to head off on the road. The Cardinal will travel to New Mexico to take on the Lobos on Monday before they’re off to Hawaii to participate in the Rainbow Wahine Shootout in Honolulu over Thanksgiving weekend. The Hawaiian trip consist of three games in three days, with the opponents being North Carolina, Hawaii and Prairie View A&M.

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Major League Soccer has asked three markets to come to their headquarters in New York City on Thursday to make presentations to the expansion committee. Sacramento, Minneapolis and Las Vegas have been invited to the meeting.

The meeting is part of the MLS expansion that will take the league to 24 teams by the end of the decade. Two new teams – New York FC and Orlando City – will begin play in the 2015 season.

Los Angeles FC, Atlanta and Miami are scheduled to enter the league in 2017. The Miami entry is dependent on securing a stadium site. David Beckham is the main figure in the Miami franchise group.

Sacramento, Minneapolis and Las Vegas are believed to vying for a fourth team to begin play in 2017 to bring the league to 20 teams. The Sacramento delegation is headed by Mayor Kevin Johnson and the owners of the Sacramento Republic FC with assistance from the Sacramento Kings organization.

“We look forward to having the opportunity to represent Sacramento in New York City to present to the Major League Soccer Expansion Committee,” said Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. “As part of our presentation we’ll highlight the progress we have made in terms of our three core areas of strength: market, ownership group, and a clear path to a downtown facility. Our group remains singularly focused in our efforts to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Sacramento.”

According to MLS, its Board of Governors will meet on December 6th to further discuss expanding the league.

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Five months after the new Sacramento Entertainment and Sports Center opens, the first and second rounds of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – aka March Madness – will be held in Sacramento. The last time the tournament visited Sacramento was in 2007.

“Today’s announcement marks another significant moment in our effort to make Sacramento a global destination for sports, civic and entertainment events,” said Sacramento Kings Owner Vivek Ranadivé. “In the past, the NCAA determined Sacramento was not equipped for a tournament, but today we know that March Madness will thrive in our city. I can promise you that in 2017, March Madness fans will experience something totally unique and exciting in Sacramento.”

The games will held on March 17 and 19, 2017. The tournament is expected to bring a minimum of $4 million in spending to the city and surrounding areas.

“Being selected to host the NCAA Basketball Tournament is a testament to all the hard work of our city and region,” said Sacramento Sports Commission Director Mike Sophia. “NCAA officials, student-athletes and fans from across the country will enjoy an unparalleled experience at the new world-class arena and will witness our vibrant city at its best.”

Sacramento State will be the host university for event. The opportunity to host the prestigious tournament will also be a benefit to the school.

For the City of Sacramento, securing the tournament is confirmation that “if you build it (the arena), they will come.”

By: Joe Lami

STANFORD, Calif.—

The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Connecticut Huskies 88-86 in overtime on Monday night, ending the Huskies’ 47-game winning streak.

The Cardinal forced overtime due to a clutch three-pointer made by senior point guard, Amber Orrange, with just three seconds left in the game to bring the score to 77-77. “That shot that Amber made, I thought was the shot of the night,” added Stanford coach, Tara VanDerveer. Orrange finished second in scoring for the Cardinal, with 17 points. She also had five rebounds and four assists.

Connecticut jumped out ahead in overtime with a three-pointer made by Morgan Tuck, just seconds into the third period. Connecticut owned the first part of overtime, until Stanford went on a 6-0 run that lasted two minutes, allowing the Cardinal to take the game.

Stanford did a great job on defense, as UConn’s two pre-season All-Americans were held to 35 points combined. Brianna Stewart led the way with 23 points, but shot only 8-for-18 while doing so. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis was no where to be seen in the first half, as she finished the first twenty minutes with only two points, both of which came from the foul line. She ended up finishing the night with 12 points, after putting up 30 against UC Davis on Friday, and a terrible shooting percentage of 28%. Much in thanks to Stanford Sophomore, Karlie Samuelson, who was on Mosqueda-Lewis like glue all night. “Karlie was great tonight on Kaleena,” added VanDerveer.

The Cardinal worked the ball around well all night, as nine different players got on the board. Sophomore, Lili Thompson, once again led the way, as she finished the game with 24 points. Samuelson’s older sister Bonnie added 14 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc. Freshman, Kaylee Johnson got into double digits in rebounding for the first time in her career, as she led the way with 13 boards helping the Cardinal outrebound the Huskies 41-37. “Kaylee was dominant on the boards,” VanDerveer praised.

Both teams were dreadful from the free-throw line, as each team shot below 68%. Connecticut coach, Geno Auriemma, added “both teams were awful for the night, especially when nearly 60 shots were attempted”. VanDerveer also brought up the bad free throw shooting saying “it needs to get better”.

Monday night marks the first time Connecticut has lost since March 12, 2013 during the Big East Tournament. Since then, they have won two straight National Championships, which includes an undefeated season. “Games like this tonight, just go to show how damn hard it is to go undefeated,” Auriemma commented.

With Connecticut not losing a game in over a year and a half, the locker room had some mixed emotions Stewart brought up. “It was a shock. Some of them have never lost a game before,” said the All-American.

Monday marks the second time in the last nine matches, where the Cardinal have come out on top. The last time, Stanford also ended a long winning streak held by the Huskies, as on December 30, 2012, the Cardinal ended the 90-game winning streak.

Monday’s game also extends Stanford’s home winning streak to 28 games, remaining the third longest in the country.

by Charlie O. Mallonee

According to multiple sources, Kings forward Rudy Gay has agreed to a three year, $40 million contract that will keep him with Sacramento through the 2017-18 season. Bill Herenda of Comcast SportsNet California reports that he has confirmed the transaction.

Gay, who is in the final year of his contract, has been one of the major pieces in the Kings plan to build a winning franchise. Gay along with center DeMarcus Cousins are the foundation of the Kings plan to become a playoff contender in the NBA West.

Gay is currently averaging 22.5 points per game and shooting 44.8 percent from the field. He is shooting 34.5 percent from 3-point land and 88 percent from the free throw line. Gay is grabbing an average of 6.8 rebounds per game.

Kings Head Coach Michael Malone frequently emphasizes Gay’s importance to the team and its future development.

The contract would have Gay in a Kings uniform when the new downtown arena opens in 2016. The contract reportedly contains a player opt-out clause before the 2017-18 season. The NBA players union contract expires after the 2016-17 season and the salary cap is expected to significantly larger in next agreement between the league and the players union.

Gay has been the target of accusations of under performing when he played in Toronto and Memphis. He seems to be thriving in Sacramento under the direction of coach Michael Malone. Gay has also become a fan favorite in Sacramento.