All attention is on teammate Candice Wiggins today, with her record-smashing performance behind the three-point line. But Stanford has run away from USC in this Pac-10 Women's Basketball Tournament semifinal due in large part to a smothering defensive effort. The Women of Troy have had a terrible time scoring at the basket against the Cardinal's post players, led by senior Kristen Newlin. The 6'5" senior forward/center has blocked five shots today (and altered numerous more) - three in the first half and two in the second stanza.
The five blocks tie the Pac-10 Tournament single-game record, matching the mark held by Washington State's Bianca McCall in 2004. Newlin separately owns sole possession of the tournament record of eight total blocked shots, set in last year's games.
Newlin also has 10 points and 10 rebounds today for her sixth double-double of the season. She just left the game at the 4:17 mark of the second half after taking a shot to the face and being knocked to the floor under the basket. Newlin has a bag of ice on her bruised face on the Stanford bench.
"I just wanted to provide a defensive spark for the team," Newlin says. "You get some [blocks] some games, and some games you don't. I don't know if that was my best or not, but I just did what they gave me."
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