Cardinal out-runs, out-guns the Ducks

What a dazzling stat sheet:

• Five double-digit scorers!
• Two double-doubles!
• 12 three-pointers at a rate of 46.2%!
• 16 more rebounds than the Ducks!
• 23 assists with just 10 turnovers!
• Stanford 104, Oregon 60!!

Jeanette is back on track. She was six for nine on three-pointers and had seven assists, zero turnovers, a block and two steals to go with the highest scoring game of her career – 26 points.

Jayne also had 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds – just 23 to go for the Pac-10 career record.

Kayla had the other double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) and one of the prettiest plays of the game – instead of passing the ball on an inbound under the Stanford basket, she bounced it off a Duck defender, then turned and laid it up and in.

Ros's pit bull defense held the Pac-10's third-best scorer to one field goal. On offense, she sank three of six three-pointers and scored 11 points.

Here are the game reports:

• No. 2 Stanford puts dent in Ducks’ run by Rob Moseley, Eugene Register-Guard.
• No. 2 Stanford women roll over Oregon 104-60 by Alex Pavlovic, Mercury News.
• Cardinal abuse Ducks' defense, go for 104 points by Tom FitzGerald, San Francisco Chronicle.
• Fast-paced tempo just fine with Cardinal women from Palo Alto Online
• Big games by Appel, Pohlen lead Stanford to 104-60 win by Jake Curtis.
• No. 2 Stanford Cruises Past Oregon, 104-60 from the Associated Press
• WBB: Stanford 104 UO 60 from the CARD Board.

The box score and play-by-play,

The press conference video with Tara, Jayne and Jeanette,

The game highlights video,

A gallery of photos from US Presswire,

And more photos:

Jayne looks for her shot Jayne gets the rebound Jayne goes up for the basket Duck loses the ball That was a lot of fun!

The Ducks are confident

Rob Mosely, Eugene Register-Guard reports that the Ducks will do what they do at Maples tonight. They don't spend much time breaking down upcoming opponents. Coach Paul Westhead says, "It's about us. If you think it’s going to be a tough game, just press and run more." Read more...

Tom FitzGerald, San Francisco Chronicle writes about Westhead's coaching style and how the Ducks are doing. Read more...

Patrick Malee, Daily Emerald reports that the Ducks are hungry for a second shot at the Cardinal and are ready to finish the job.

Paul Westhead says, "We’ve come to beat you, not to play you.”

Taylor Lilley says, “They don’t like to run. They don’t like to be pressed."

Nia Jackson says, "I think it's going to be a great game."
Read more...

I think Jackson's got it right.

Last homestand of the season

Next weekend is the last of the season at Maples for the Cardinal and their fans. Be there:

• On Thursday, in the Pink Zone to show your support of breast cancer research.
• On Saturday to honor our seniors.

And ... oh yes ... to see our awesome Cardinal play a couple more basketball games.

Oregon Ducks

In our first meeting of the season, the Cardinal had trouble for a while with the Ducks' in-your-face press. But some adjustments and a monster of a game from Nneka led to a very satisfying victory for the Cardinal.

After that, the Ducks lost to UCLA, then won their next four games – against USC, Oregon State, Arizona and Arizona State.

Their games continue to be lively high-scoring contests. They score the most points in the Pac-10 (85.3), but they also allow the most points to their opponents (75.9). Five of their players are among the top 30 scorers in the Pac-10, led by Taylor Lilley at #3 and Micaela Cocks at #8.

They continue to be deadly beyond the arc. They lead the Pac-10 in three-point percentage (36.9) and three-pointers per game (8.54). Taylor Lilley makes the most (3.67), but Victoria Kenyon has the best percentage (43.9).

In spite of the furious pace of their games, they take good care of the ball. They have the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the Pac-10 (0.96). (Stanford is one of only 21 teams in the nation that have a positive ratio – more assists than turnovers.)

This is a crucial weekend for the Ducks. They are currently 4th in the Pac-10, one game behind Cal. So their game at Haas on Saturday is a must-win. But I'm sure they'll be trying for a win at Maples before that!

Oregon's win-loss record (16-8 overall, 7-5 conference) and their RPI (5-7) place them 4th in the Pac-10. Their strength of schedule (61) places them 9th.

Here are their 2009-10 statistics and their roster.

Oregon State Beavers

The Beavers are having such a disappointing season. Their grind-it-out defense holds their opponents to the third-fewest points in the Pac-10 (58.9), but it doesn't generate enough offense to tip the balance in their favor. They score just a bit less (58.2 points per game), the fewest in the Pac-10.

In our prior game, they held us to just 63 points, our then-lowest of the conference season, but they were able to score only 47.

Since then, they've lost seven consecutive games, including a non-conference one to Cal State Bakersfield.

Coach LaVonda Wagner says, "We're on the struggle bus and just can't find our way off."

Oregon State's win-loss record (9-14 overall, 1-11 conference) places them 9th in the Pac-10. Their RPI (209) and strength of schedule (89) place them last.

Here are their 2009-10 statistics and their roster.

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Jayne's Fantastic February

Mechelle Voepel wrote of Jayne recently in an article for ESPN.com:

There has been some worry about Stanford senior center Jayne Appel in regard to her knees this season. But … it's looking like she's definitely back up to speed.

In the Cardinal's three games in February, Appel has three double-doubles. The latest came Sunday in a 98-67 victory over Washington State, which Stanford beat for the 50 millionth, whoops, 50th consecutive time (in, uh, 50 meetings).

Appel had 25 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in her final trip to Pullman, Wash. (Unless she just wants to go back and visit some day. For some reason.)

Actually the Cardinal have played four games in February and Jayne had double-doubles in all four of them: 23-13, 15-13, 18-13 and 25-14.

In recognition of her stellar performances against Washington and Washington State last week, Jayne was named the Pac-10 Player of the Week. This is the eighth time in her career that Jayne has received that honor. Read more...

Congratulations Jayne!

Cardinal crushes Cougars

The Cardinal kept the Cougars' two leading scorers in check, but couldn't stop Jazmine Perkins who made 78.6% of her field goal attempts and the game-high 26 points. But overall the Cardinal outshot the Cougars 56% - 39.4% and defeated them 98-67.

My game ball goes to Joslyn for her first career double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds). She made two of her three three-point attempts. She also had two assists and two steals. All this in just 17 minutes!

Jayne scored a season-high 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for her fourth consecutive double-double. She also had six assists, two blocks and a steal. The Pac-10 career record is hers with just 35 more rebounds!

Nneka had dropped below her 20+ pace for the past few games, but got back to it today with 21 points.

Jeanette appears to be getting her shooting touch back. She sank two from beyond the arc and scored 12 points in all. She also had three assists, a block and five steals.

Kayla was just a rebound shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.

JJ and Mel are still hampered by their injuries. They each played just five minutes today.

For the first time this season, all of our reserves (except Sarah, of course) got some playing time.

Here are the game reports:

• WSU Women Fall to Second-Ranked Stanford from Spokane Sports & Weather
• No. 2 Cardinal Crush Cougars, 98-67 by Nicholas K. Geranios, Associated Press
• Jayne Appel looking like an All-American again in Stanford win by Jake Curtis

The box score and play-by-play,

And more photos:

Kayla finishes a fast break Nneka goes up for a shot Jayne goes up for a shot Jeanette looks for a recipient Ros can't stop Jazmine Perkins' shot Ros and Jazmine Perkins fight for the ball Mel and JJ talk it over

Cardinal handles the Huskies

It was all about defense tonight. Stanford held Washington to 36 points, their fewest of the season and the fewest of any Stanford opponent. And Washington held Stanford to 58 points, our fewest of the season.

The Cardinal found enough offense to win fairly easily – they were in control throughout the game.

Jayne was definitely in control. She scored the game-high 18 points and took a big step towards setting the Pac-10 record for career rebounds by grabbing 13 of them – also the game-high. And she had two assists, a block and a steal.

The Huskies slowed down the rest of our front court. Kayla and Nneka both got into foul trouble and played just 28 and 20 minutes respectively. Nneka had 12 points, but just three rebounds. Kayla had eight of each. Joslyn subbed in for 17 minutes and added four points.

The rest of our scoring came from Jeanette and Ros. Jeanette ended the first half with a three-pointer and started the second half with another one, closely followed by two layups on fast breaks. She also had a steal and five assists with three turnovers. Ros added six points.

That's not much scoring, but it was enough. As for the Huskies, post player Regina Reynolds made 55% of her field goal attempts. The rest of the Huskies made 20%, largely due to Ros's defensive efforts.

Media attention was focussed on the Olympics Opening Ceremony tonight. There are just two game reports:

• Washington falls to No. 2 Stanford women, 58-36 by Jayda Evans, Seattle Times
• No. 2 Cardinal Cruise Past Huskies, 58-36 by Tim Booth, Associated Press

The box score and play-by-play,

And a few photos:

Kayla splits the defenders Ros keeps an eye on the Huskies' leading scorer Nneka puts up a shot Air-tight defense

Cardinal goes to Washington

When the Washington teams came to Maples in January, I ignored Tara's warnings against complacency and suggested that it would be an easy weekend for the Cardinal.

Wrong! So I make no predictions about the second-round games against the Huskies and Cougars — just some recollections and facts.

Washington Huskies

The Huskies came to the Bay Area in January on a three-game winning streak, thinking that they had reached a turning point in a difficult season. They found a Cardinal team lacking in fire, aggressiveness and energy and lacking two of their point guards. The Cardinal managed to win anyway, but it was one of our most discouraging games of the season.

Since then the Huskies have lost four of five games. They lost by narrow margins to UCLA, USC and Arizona State (in overtime), but were trounced 80-50 by Arizona. Their one victory was against Washington State.

Their statistical rankings within the conference haven't changed much in the past month.. They still have the fewest rebounds in the Pac-10 and score the second-fewest points per game.

During the celebration of Stanford's 1989-90 championship team last week, I was surprised to learn that their only loss that season was to Washington. I had almost forgotten how the Huskies used to dominate the Pac-10 ... the scary game each season in a sold-out Hec Edmundson Pavilion ... against Jamie Redd, the Mendiola sisters, Cameo Hicks, Emily Florence ...

Although the Huskies haven't been that good for a while, they still have a loyal fan base. They average close to 3000 fans at home games. Watch out, Cardinal!

Washington's win-loss record (9-12 overall, 4-7 conference) and RPI (140) place them 8th in the Pac-10, their strength of schedule (34) places them 4th.

Here are their 2009-10 statistics and their roster.

Washington State Cougars

The Cardinal's prior game against the Cougars actually was easy — an 80-43 victory, with double-doubles from Nneka and Kayla and solid performances from Jayne, Ros and Lindy.

After that the Cougars lost to Cal, USC, UCLA, Washington and Arizona. Then last Saturday they had the heady experience of their first conference victory — 66-62 over Arizona State in Tempe!

Head coach June Daugherty said of that game, "Our defense really wreaked havoc." But the Cougars' defense is generally their weakness. They have the poorest scoring margin and second-worst rebounding margin in the Pac-10.

What keeps them in the game is double-digit scoring from their three speedy guards who together score about 60% of the team's points:

• April Cook leads the way with 14.6 points per game, the ninth best in the Pac-10. She is sixth-best in 3-point field goals (tied with Kayla), with 1.68 per game. She scored a career-high 33 points in the ASU game and was named the Pac-10 Player of the Week.
• KiKi Moore continues her stellar freshman season with the most steals (3.18), the fourth-most assists (3.59) and the 15th most points (13.2) in the Pac-10. She has a lot of turnovers, but her assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.74 is surprisingly the 8th best in the Pac-10.
• Jazmine Perkins is the Cougars' best rebounder with 5.9 per game and scores 10.4 points per game

Washington State's win-loss record (6-16 overall, 1-10 conference) places them last in the Pac-10, their RPI (159) places them 9th, and their strength of schedule (40) places them 6th.

Here are their 2009-10 statistics and their roster.

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