Cardinal topples the Tall Firs

Coach Paul Westhead said, "We're going to try to beat them with our speed." That didn't work. The Ducks couldn't get downcourt ahead of the Cardinal fast enough to get their offense going. They didn't make a basket until halfway through the first half. They made just 25% of their field goal attempts and not quite 10% of their 3-point attempts. Only Nia Jackson was finally able to find her way through the Cardinal defense to score the game-high 21 points.

Westhead thought, "We certainly can cut into their rebounding advantage." Nope, that didn't work either. The Ducks were out-rebounded 68-32.

Bottom Line: Stanford 91, Oregon 56

Actually it was a game in which neither team played their best. The Ducks applied strong defensive pressure in the paint that held the Cardinal to a less than stellar field goal percentage of 43.6, and the Cardinal had far too many turnovers – 18 of them.

Chiney had a huge double-double — a team-high 18 point and 12 rebounds. She also had two assists, three blocks and a steal.

Kayla, in a game where she set a new Stanford record for career minutes played, again demonstrated her powerful presence with 11 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal.

Jeanette sank three of her nine 3-point attempts and scored 17 points in all. She also dished out six assists (unfortunately accompanied by five turnovers), had four rebounds and blocked two shots.

Sarah was a strong presence in the post tonight. She played for 20 minutes, during which she scored 16 points, had eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and just one turnover.

Nneka scored 16 points and had eight rebounds, an assist and a block. She drew a lot of the Ducks' defensive attention and went to the free-throw line 13 times. Had she done better there (she missed five of them), she would have beat out little sister for top scorer.

Here are game reports:

• No. 4 Stanford Tops Oregon, 91-56 from The Associated Press
• Ducks’ upset chances are off target from the start by Rob Mosely, The Register-Guard
• Stanford defense shuts down Oregon women's high-scoring offense by Jake Curtis
• Cardinal’s start too hot for Ducks to handle by Andy Drukarev, Daily Emerald

The box score and play-by-play,

And the photos:

Jos and Nneka thwart Nia Jackson's drive to the basket Nneka comes down with the rebound The ball gets away from Victoria Kenyon Chiney works her way in for a shot Jeanette wins the race down the court Nneka and Mel harass Nia Jackson Chiney battles for a rebound