Cardinal de-claws the Wildcats

No halftime lead for the Wildcats this time, although they hung close most of the half. The Cardinal came into the second half all fired up, tightened up the defense, shot 70%, and took the game to an 87-54 victory.

Nneka shot an amazing 71%. Spin to the left, put it in the basket. Spin to the right, put it in the basket. Crash past three defenders, put it in the basket. Push it in from 12 feet out. Grab the rebound, put it back. 24 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, two steals. A dazzling display!

Jeanette had 13 points, including two 3-pointers, five rebounds and five assists with just two turnovers.

Kayla had a double-double, 11 of each. She grabbed six O-boards, had a block, two steals, three assists and turnover.

Chiney was also 11-11 on points and rebounds. At the postgame meeting Tara said, "Chiney is fearless. She is put on the toughest front-line opponent." She was on Ify Ibekwe, the Wildcats' leading scorer, tonight and was a big factor in restricting her to just four baskets.

Lindy set the offensive tone with a big 3-pointer early in the game that took the Cardinal to 9-0. She kept Davellyn white, the Wildcats' second-best scorer, in check, helping to hold her to just nine points and 1-6 on 3-pointers.

The last 7:45 minutes were played by the Cardinal reserves who increased the lead by two points.

Here are game reports:

• No. 4 Cardinal Cruise Past Arizona In Conference Home Opener, 87-54 by Janie McCauley, Associated Press
• Nneka Ogwumike shoulders load in Stanford victory by Tom Fitzgerald, San Francisco Chronicle
• Stanford women rout Arizona 87-54 by Elliott Almond, Mercury News
• Ogwumike gets healthy in Pac-10 hoops win over the Wildcats from Palo Alto Online
• Stanford women rout Arizona by 33 points by Jake Curtis
• WBB: Stanford 87 UofA 54 from The CARDboard

The box score and play-by-play,

The game highlights video,

A postgame report with Ros Gold-Onwude,

A gallery of photos by Don Feria, Stanford Photo,

And more photos:

Kayla saves a loose ball Jeanette gets all tangled up Jeanette drives to the basket Chiney drives to the basket Chiney puts up a shot Nneka covers the offense Nice shot!