 Stanford Wins the Hardwood Tourney. Photo Stanford Athletics |
Just the facts, Ma'am
If you are like C and R and suffering from too much food, shopping and football, we will get right to the facts. Plus, since the game was not televised (again) we really don’t have much to say about it (not that that ever stops us).
Super Senior Chiney Ogwumike scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, for her sixth double-double of the year. She earned tournament MVP honors after averaging 26 points and 11 rebounds in the three games. She also shot an incredible 78% from the field.
With all those awesome stats, it was a little disconcerting to see Stanford was losing 10-8 with about seven minutes gone in the contest. With “Have no fear, Chiney is here” as their rallying cry, Stanford went on a 32-9 run to take a 40-19 lead at the half. None of those numbers are a typo. Chiney scored 13 of the points, including the first seven of the run.
What about the Freshies?
The four active freshmen combined to score 30 points. Kailee Johnson had a season-high 10 points, and sank two three-pointers. Erica McCall scored nine to go with seven rebounds trying hard to be a baby Chiney and get a double-double. Karlie Samuelson had eight points and a made three and Lili Thompson scored three points in 12 minutes.
Stanford out-rebounding South Dakota 41-27 with Chiney and Mikaela Ruef leading the way with 12 each. Ruef, while only scoring one point, contributed other ways with the aforementioned rebounding and seven assists. She matched her career high with those seven as the Cardinal had 23 assists as a team.
Defense Wins Championships and Stanford is no exception.
Stanford recorded 22 turnovers and made a season-high 14 steals, led by a career-high-matching five from Amber Orrrrange. She went 5-for-6 from the field for 13 points on the offense.
Now the players, who are true student athletes, get a little time off at Thanksgiving to see their families and their own bedrooms, before heading back to Stanford to take finals. Then Gonzaga comes to Maples and the celebration of Tara VanDerveer’s 900th win as Stanford goes for number 902.
Gonzaga always gives a good game and can be dangerous, and isn’t former Stanford alum and standout Nicole Powell on the coaching staff for the Zags? (The answer is yes). Will she have any insider info on how Tara coaches to help the Zags win? Or does she know she is already out-prepared by the Hall of Fame of coach? Either way, pencil it in on your calendars and punch it in to your Iphones.
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