Stanford FBC: Stories of the Season: Gulf Coast Showcase, 2nd round

Stanford 74, Dayton 66

Dayton clearly outmatched Stanford off the court — they had their 30-man pep band, an 8-person yell squad, the Dayton Flyer mascot, and about 60 enthusiastic, red-shirted fans behind their bench. Stanford had about 20 fans (counting parents and Tara's mother and sister) thinly scattered around the arena.

The Flyers owned the first quarter 24-14, and looked like owning the game, with the Cardinal missing shots and giving up turnovers. There was promise, however in the fact that Bird ended the quarter with 4 made baskets, quite respectable given the size of the Dayton big girls defending her, and Alanna had hit two threes.

In the second quarter Alanna hit another 3-pointer and Stanford came within two, 28-26, before Dayton drained three 3s in a row to reopen their lead and end the half 40-33. We fans also noted Lili had only field goal, which suggested things might improve.

In the third quarter Alanna hit a three, Lili hit a three, Bri drove the lane (defying two players twice her size), drew a foul and made two free throws to bring the score to 43-40. A moment later, a three by Karlie tied the game, and shortly after Stanford was ahead by six. This lead they just as quickly gave back as Dayton tied the score 51-all, mostly on points made off Stanford turnovers. The third quarter ended with Dayton up 54-53.

Stanford opened the fourth quarter well, with treys by Lili, Alanna, Lili again, and a two by Lili. At 7:11 Dayton called time with the score 56-64. At 4:04, the final media timeout, the score was 64-69 and Lili, Karlie, Alanna and Bird each had three fouls. Three minutes later the score was unchanged after several fruitless possessions by both sides.

Then Dayton hit two free throws to get within three, and the game was still anyone's. But at 0:22, with the shot clock almost out, Karlie dropped in a clutch three: Stanford up by six with 22 seconds to play.

Employing the new rule, Dayton called time and then inbounded from the end of their bench. A score at this point could have been significant, but big #55 clanked a jumper and Bird got the rebound.

Dayton had to foul the Stanford inbound three times before free throws were needed. Bri made both and that completed the scoring: Stanford wins by eight, 74-66.

Top scorers were Alanna, posting her best performance with 22 points from making six of eight 3-point attempts; Lili with 19, including three of six 3-pointers and a perfect four from the line; and Erica with 16, on 62% shooting. Karlie was only two for seven attempts, but the second one was absolutely crucial.

Although they rarely looked comfortable and gave up many fouls and turnovers, the Cardinal recovered from a bad first quarter and posted a solid win over a quality opponent.

Here are game reports and commentary:

Dayton Put Under - Alanna Smith scores 22 in 74-66 win, the Stanford Athletics game recap
#13/16 Stanford outlasts #UDWBB, 74-66, in Gulf Coast Showcase, the Dayton Athletics game recap
Stanford, Purdue to play for Showcase title by Carl Bleich (The News-Press)
Two Thrilling Games in Florida by Wally Mersereau, FBC traveller
Dayton unable to 'fly' past Cardinal in Gulf Coast Showcase semifinals by Sandy Czarnecki (Swish Appeal)

The box score and play-by-play,

And photos by Dave Cortesi

Dayton pep band and mascot

Pre-game huddle

Tara welcomes the team onto the court

The tipoff

Quiet post-game celebration

Purdue 62, Louisville 60

Purdue is unranked; Louisville is ranked 22 in the AP Top 25. On that basis, this was Louisville's game to lose.

Although Louisville kept the lead through most of the game, they were not able to put Purdue away. Purdue did not play like an unranked team; they passed the ball crisply and kept their composure in the face of the Louisville's harassing defense. Louisville would pull out a lead of 6 or 8, and Purdue would pull it back. Purdue has a freshman "big", 6-6 Nora Kiesler, who reminded us a lot of Jayne Appel; her rebounding was important to Purdue's ability to hang on.

The final minutes were exciting. Purdue was within 2, 51-53, at the four minute mark. At 1:50 they were within 1, 55-56. After a turnover by Louisville, Purdue scored to take a one-point lead, 57-56 with 1 minute to play.

Louisville answered at 41 seconds, regaining a one-point lead at 57-58. Here the new rules came into play: Purdue called an immediate time-out and then could inbound the ball from the end of their bench. At 34.1 seconds, Purdue scored: 59-58. Now Louisville called a time-out so they could inbound from the end of their bench.

Louisville scored at 26.1 seconds, regaining a one-point lead 59-60. Purdue called time-out to inbound from the end of their bench.

Purdue inbounded the ball and a Louisville player caused a foul. The Purdue player made both her free throws, making the score 61-60. Louisville called a time out; both teams were now out of time-outs.

Louisville put the ball in play; after a few seconds it went out of bounds and was awarded to Purdue. Now Louisville had to foul and did, at 10.6 seconds. The Purdue player made one of two free throws, making the score 62-60. Louisville was unable to score in the final seconds, so that was the final score.

The Cardinal should not look past Purdue; they are a legitimate threat. Just the same, most fans were glad we would not have to face Louisville tomorrow.

Here are game reports: