Round 1: Nerds attack the Pirates

The Hampton Pirates were only a small, brief bump in the Cardinal's road to Denver.

The game began in typical Cardinal fashion with two pogo-stick rebound/layups by Chiney. But the Pirates' vaunted defense held the Cardinal in check for 13 minutes, at which point the Pirates were just one point back. Then Nneka said, "Enough!" and led the Cardinal on a 20-6 run capped by her three-pointer — into the locker room up 42-27.

Chiney bruised her knee on a hard fall four minutes into the game. She spent the rest of the half in the locker room and on the bike, but started the second half and played for about ten more minutes. Looks like she'll be good to go on Monday for the game against West Virginia.

The Cardinal continued their domination in the second half and won 73-51. Amber was responsible for 29 points. She did a superb job of leading the offense with a career-high eleven assists and just three turnovers. She contributed seven points herself, including a rare three-pointer – her second of the season. She also got five rebounds and a steal.

Nneka was everywhere and did everything, as usual. She scored 28 points with layups, jumpers and one of three from beyond the arc. She grabbed ten rebounds, blocked one shot and stole the ball three times.

In addition to her strong defense (five rebounds and two blocks), Jos was a big part of the Cardinal's offense today. She scored 16 points, including a career-high four of four from beyond the arc.

Here are game reports and commentary:

• No. 2 Stanford Takes Care of Hampton, 73-51, Advances to Second Round by Hank Kurz (Associated Press)
• Stanford wins NCAA opener, tough second-round game awaits -- plus cool video by Jake Curtis
• HU can't stop Stanford, Ogwumike by Melinda Waldrop (Norfolk Daily Press)
• Stanford, WVU to match styles by Michelle Smith (espnW)

The box score and play-by-play,

The game highlights and press conference video,

A gallery of photos by Don Feria for Stanford Photo,

And photos by Steve Helber (Associated Press):

One of Nneka's impossible shots Amber battles for possession Jos battles for a rebound Did Nneka just get robbed? Nneka grabs a loose ball Nneka heads to the floor Tara in the first half - she was more relaxed in the second A happy bench!