It’s Not Just Defense: Stanford Unveils New 98-Point Offense

 

Warren Grimes

Coach Paye has repeatedly reminded us that defense and rebounding are the keys to success.  Good point.  The team has compiled a 7-0 start by allowing opponents an average of just 48.7 points per game.  It has also doubled the rebounds of several opponents and has an average 16.3 boards per game advantage over opponents.  There is, however, more to the story.

Against Lehigh, a tournament team last year, Stanford won by 55 points.  Part of this formula was holding the Mountain Hawks to just 43 points.  Also important was the 98 points that Stanford scored.  Yes, that point total was sparked by turnovers and good defense, but there was also the matter of a great offensive performance.

Nunu Agara was a standout.  She had a season-high 24 points while converting every one of her 10 shots (one was a three-pointer).  Agara is not only back; she’s better than ever.  Previously against UC Davis, Agara had 16 points and 16 boards.  Her intensity and focus has now given her the team lead in points per game (14.9) to go along with her leading rebounds per game average (8.7).

Of course, it wasn’t just Agara.  Four other players were in double digit territory, including fellow junior Mary Ashley Stevenson (10 points).   The other three were freshmen: Lara Somfai added 15 points; Hailee Swaine had 12 and Carly Amborn had 10.  I liked the more diverse nature of Swaine’s points, with drives that ended with creative shot making and a stop-and-pop jump shot. 

By far the most surprising addition to double digit scoring was Carly Amborn, who played just over seven minutes in the fourth quarter.  Amborn may have discovered the missing 11th commandment: Thou shalt not miss!  She has yet to miss a shot this season.  She’s made all five of her three-point shots and all six of her free throws.  Two-point shots?   Hasn’t taken any, but why bother.  Amborn also contributed 4 boards and an assist in the 7 minutes she played.  Yes, some of her floor time was against Lehigh reserves, but this sort of performance should win her more floor time.

Lara Somfai is the team’s second leading rebounder and third leading scorer, and she continues to get better.  Alexander Eschmeyer led the team in rebounds against Lehigh and is tied with Somfai in blocks (7 each). 

The bottom line on the offensive display against Lehigh was fast break points, the crisp interior passing and improved three-point shooting (54% for the game).  Five different players converted three-pointers, with Chloe Clardy and Amborn getting two each.

Then there’s the Stanford depth, something that will be needed when Stanford plays two games in two days this weekend in Las Vegas.