The Gamecock defense was all that it's cracked up to be. They had an answer for everyone except Nneka, who scored 39 points – more than half of the Cardinal's total.
Their offense differed from that of any other team the Cardinal has played this season. Their little guards went around and up and over our bigs in the paint for layup after layup. Chiney had it just right when she said, "When you have a clear size advantage people expect things to benefit the taller team. But think about it. You're going to have to guard their size advantage, meaning their quickness to the rim."
The game was much more challenging than the final score indicates. The Cardinal took the lead three minutes into the game, but weren't able to hold onto a double-digit margin until the last six minutes when they went on a 7-0 run that effectively closed out the game.
In addition to her 39 points, which she made at a rate of 64% from the field and 92% from the charity stripe, Nneka tallied ten rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal.
Chiney appears to be suffering from more than a slightly stiff knee. She was wearing a calf-to-thigh wrap on her right leg and wasn't her usual explosive self. She also took two very hard falls during the game. Nevertheless, she played for 33 minutes, got a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds), three assists, four blocks and two steals.
The Gamecocks weren't able to defend against Toni's quickness, and she had a splendid game. She stole the ball twice, scored on two fast breaks, tallied a total of 12 points, and had seven rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes of play.
Jos tried and made the only Cardinal 3-pointer with a one-handed launch to the basket as the buzzer sounded the end of the first half. She had seven points in all, three rebounds and three blocks.
The Gamecock defense focussed on Amber (she's not flying under the radar anymore) and kept her from scoring or distributing the ball as well as usual. But she still had five assists with just one turnover, five points, a rebound and a block.
Here are game reports:
- No. 2 Stanford Rolls Past No. 25 South Carolina, 76-60 by Janie McCauley (Associated Press)
- Fresno Regional: Ogwumike comes up big for Stanford in women's NCAA Tournament by Jeff Davis (The Fresno Bee)
- Women's college basketball: Nneka Ogwumike scores 39 points to lead Stanford into regional final by Elliott Almond (Mercury News)
- Stanford women top South Carolina in regional semi by Tom FitzGerald (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Nneka Ogwumike scores 39 points by Michelle Smith (espnW)
- Stanford women are one win from a game against Baylor, Griner -- Nneka scores 39 by Jake Curtis
- Selby leads Duke women past St. John's 74-47 by Janie McCauley (Associated Press)
Ogwumike's 39 Keeps Stanford Moving, a Nneka highlights video from ESPN,
A slide show by Nhat V. Meyers (Mercury News),
A gallery of photos by Don Feria for Stanford Photo,
Rich Pedroncelli and Gary Kazanjian posted 42 photos for the Associated Press. You can see all of them on the Stanford Athletics website – here and here. These are a few of the best ones.
Amber drives
Jos put up a shot
Toni gets there first
Nneka puts up a shot
The cheering section
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