The Cardinal will finish their season as they have the prior four with a trip to the Final Four following their decisive defeat of Duke 81-69.
The Cardinal kept a comfortable lead for much of the game. The Blue Devils cut it to eight briefly several times in the second half, but the Cardinal answered back immediately each time.
The Blue Devils tried everything they could to contain Nneka, but couldn't do it. She led her team to victory with another fabulous outing — 29 points on 73% shooting from the field and 88% from the free throw line, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Tara said yesterday that she would need more from everybody else against Duke tonight, and she got it.
From everyone: A great defensive effort that held the Blue Devils to 39.7% shooting from the field, an impressive drop from the 57% they had averaged in the first three rounds of the tourney.
From Chiney: Her 19th double-double of the season (12 points and 17 rebounds), an assist and a steal.
From Jos: Three of seven from beyond the arc (the first one came two minutes into the game and gave Stanford the lead it never lost), a total of 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
From Amber: 13 points on 71% shooting (including a three-pointer), four assists with just two turnovers, two rebounds, two steals, and one of the Cardinal's two blocked shots.
From Toni: Eight assists with just one turnover, six points (including a three-pointer), three rebounds, and two steals both of which she took downcourt on fast breaks.
From Lindy: A three-pointer and the Cardinal's other blocked shot.
From Taylor: A three-pointer (that's a total of seven for the Cardinal) and a steal.
From Grace: Two free throws in the waning seconds when the Devils refused to give up.
Here are game reports:
- No. 2 Stanford Advances After Rout of No. 6 Duke, 81-69 by Janie McCauley, Associated Press
- Ogwumike and Stanford Beat Duke; Baylor Next Up by David White, New York Times
- Stanford women defeat Duke, advance to NCAA Final Four by Elliott Almond, Mercury News, with slide show by Nhat V. Meyer
- Stanford women handle Duke, face Baylor next by Tom FitzGerald, San Francisco Chronicle
- Ogwumikes, Griner make Stanford-Baylor must-see TV by Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle
- The Griner-Ogwumike matchup is set — Baylor vs. Stanford in Final Four by Jake Curtis
- WBB: Stanford 81 Duke 69--Final Four Bound! from The CARDboard
A gallery of photos by Don Feria for Stanford Photo,
And some celebratory photos from the Associated Press:
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