02-25-2012, 06:07 PM
Stanford crushed Utah with suffocating defense, although our own offense was somewhat erratic, for Tara's 700th win at Stanford. Nneka, Grace, Sara, and Lindy were honored after the ceremony and all received enormous ovations as they stood at center court with their families. Nneka was joined by her parents and all 3 of her sisters, and I wondered if we might be lucky enough to be looking at the long term future of the program.
Grace was inserted into the game with a couple of minutes remaining and hit a three point shot that brought the crowd to its feet. It seemed like such an absolutely fitting end to the game, for her to make her first points of the season in front of her family and just minutes before a rousing good bye party.
Back to the game.
The first half was one of the best defensive halves Stanford has played this year. The first two times down the court Utah could not get a shot off before the clock expired. We even threw a full court press into the mix from time to time. We had 33 points before they had 10 and it wound up 35-14
The second half did not start out nearly as well. During the first 10 minutes of the second half Utah got its offense going and outscored us 19-12. The lead had dwindled to 16 points with quite a lot of time left and Tara began to cycle the starters back in. Utah slowed down and we began to get some key plays and the game was well in hand again.Â
Amber played very well today, with a great defensive performance but also a very good offensive performance. She hit several mid range jumpers that touched nothing but net and slashed to the basket a couple of times too, winding up with 12 points. Amber seems to be developing very well as the year ends--very encouraging.
Bonnie got a lot of time (17 minutes) and got 2 points and 2 rebounds. She picked up 4 fouls though. I think that was probably the most minutes she has gotten this year. Tara kept sending her back in--you could tell that she was hoping that Bonnie would start lighting up the 3s, but it just never happened. I think the jury is still out on her defense.
Utah is actually a little taller than we are and Wicijowski is quite talented. They seemed to be able to hold us in check for some stretches of the game (beginning of 2nd half), but could not hold back the three headed monster for long. Nneka, Chiney, and Jos all had 12 points or more, and 28 rebounds between them.Â
On the down side, our three point shooting continues to be in a funk. We were 2-12, with Lindy going 1-3 and Grace 1-1. Taylor did not play. The press reports that she has a sore hamstring. Let us hope that is all it is. For the second straight game, our assist numbers were low--only 11.Â
There were a number of teary eyes in the stands after the game. It was odd having Senior night not be the last game, though. I guess it will give us all a chance to get teary eyed again on Wednesday!
Grace was inserted into the game with a couple of minutes remaining and hit a three point shot that brought the crowd to its feet. It seemed like such an absolutely fitting end to the game, for her to make her first points of the season in front of her family and just minutes before a rousing good bye party.
Back to the game.
The first half was one of the best defensive halves Stanford has played this year. The first two times down the court Utah could not get a shot off before the clock expired. We even threw a full court press into the mix from time to time. We had 33 points before they had 10 and it wound up 35-14
The second half did not start out nearly as well. During the first 10 minutes of the second half Utah got its offense going and outscored us 19-12. The lead had dwindled to 16 points with quite a lot of time left and Tara began to cycle the starters back in. Utah slowed down and we began to get some key plays and the game was well in hand again.Â
Amber played very well today, with a great defensive performance but also a very good offensive performance. She hit several mid range jumpers that touched nothing but net and slashed to the basket a couple of times too, winding up with 12 points. Amber seems to be developing very well as the year ends--very encouraging.
Bonnie got a lot of time (17 minutes) and got 2 points and 2 rebounds. She picked up 4 fouls though. I think that was probably the most minutes she has gotten this year. Tara kept sending her back in--you could tell that she was hoping that Bonnie would start lighting up the 3s, but it just never happened. I think the jury is still out on her defense.
Utah is actually a little taller than we are and Wicijowski is quite talented. They seemed to be able to hold us in check for some stretches of the game (beginning of 2nd half), but could not hold back the three headed monster for long. Nneka, Chiney, and Jos all had 12 points or more, and 28 rebounds between them.Â
On the down side, our three point shooting continues to be in a funk. We were 2-12, with Lindy going 1-3 and Grace 1-1. Taylor did not play. The press reports that she has a sore hamstring. Let us hope that is all it is. For the second straight game, our assist numbers were low--only 11.Â
There were a number of teary eyes in the stands after the game. It was odd having Senior night not be the last game, though. I guess it will give us all a chance to get teary eyed again on Wednesday!
