Cardinal Xs out Xavier

The Cardinal didn't need buzzer beater heroics against Xavier today. They came out strong and confident and in control, and stayed that way to their 51st consecutive victory at Maples, 89-52.

The entire team performed splendidly. Tara was hard put to find an answer when she was asked after the game if she was displeased about anything today. Some of the highlights were:

The coaches have been telling Nneka to be more aggressive. She took their advice — scored the game-high 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had three steals — in just 30 minutes.

Jeanette was determined to prove that last season's victory over Xavier was no fluke. She had 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists with just one turnover, and three steals.

The Cardinal's quick double-teams slowed down Xavier's big posts, Amber Harris and Ta'Shia Phillips. They held Phillips to three field goals and Harris to six field goals in the paint.

Lindy's persistent defense shut down Katie Rutan, Xavier's 3-point specialist. She made just one today when Lindy fell down while going after a loose ball. Lindy herself sank two three's.

The Cardinal made 38% of their three-point attempts — two from Lindy, two from Jeanette and one each from Kayla, Joslyn, Grace and Ashley.

The Cardinal have been turning the ball over too much this season. Not today — they had just eight turnovers to Xavier's 17. They stole the ball from Xavier 13 times.

Some of the Cardinal have been careless at the free-throw line. Not today — Nneka and Chiney were perfect. The team total was 13 of 16.

Here are the game reports:

• No. 9 Stanford Slams No. 4 Xavier, 89-52 by Janie McCauley, Associated Press
• Stanford women take care of hoop business by Rick Eymer, Palo Alto Online
• Stanford Looks Ready for UConn After Routing No. 4 Xavier by Michelle Smith, FanHouse
• Stanford women hammer No. 4 Xavier by 37 by Jake Curtis
• WBB: Stanford 89 Xavier 52 by Viking_Guy on the CARDboard
• Stanford University Finds Some Chemistry In 89-52 Blowout Of Xavier by Q McCall,Swish Appeal

The box score and play-by-play,

The press conference video with Tara, Jeanette, Kayla and Nneka,

The game highlights video,

A photo gallery by Richard C. Ersted, Stanford Photo,

A photo gallery by Kyle Terada, US Presswire,

A slide show by Nhat V. Mayer, Mercury News,

A photographic blog by Kelley L Cox,

And more photos :

Special Jennings turns it over to Jeanette & Kayla Jeanette lays it up and in Katie Rutan tries to get away from Lindy and past Sarah Nneka and Ta'Shia Phillips go for the rebound Kayla and Joslyn double-team Amber Harris An Ogwumike sandwich Chiney celebrates her good play The bench celebrates Grace's three-pointer Awesome!