03-22-2014, 06:35 PM
Overview:
Stanford comfortably beat the South Dakota Coyotes, but Mikaela Ruef exited with a concussion. Our offense looked much improved from the last several games, but our defense was suspect--giving up 44% to a much smaller and less talented team.
Flow of the Game
Tara started Sara James along with Chiney, Amber, Lili, and Mikaela--so it was back to the lineup of all our seniors that we used earlier in the year. But just like earlier in the season, Sara got just 11 minutes--and may have cost herself some playing time with a really silly technical foul.
At 19:24 in the first half Chiney drained a short jumper and broke the Pac 12 and Stanford all-time scoring records. South Dakota looked relaxed and focused and played up to the level of their ability. They led for most of the first 5 minutes by focusing on Chiney and making all their shots. Then Bonnie began a rain of threes and the game began to gradually come more and more under our control. We went on a 9-0 run, then an 8-0 run, and by halftime it was a 15 point lead.
About five minutes before the end of the first half, Mikaela Ruef fell to the floor. Her head bounced on the floor and she clutched at it in pain. I hope it is not serious, but they held her out the remainder of the game. Later in the game the cameras caught her smiling and cheering for her team on the bench.
The second half really did confirm that our offense was improved--at least against this level of opposition. It helped that Bonnie hit 6/10 treys and Lili 3/6. But Amber and Lili seemed to be doing a better job slashing to the basket than they did towards the end of the Pac 12 season. The announcers said that when they watched the Stanford practices, Tara was stressing fundamentals. I think Tara must have been drilling us for offensive sharpness--she indicated in the press conference as much and admitted that "our offense had become stale."Â
Once we got ahead by around 20 points we seemed to coast along without padding the lead. How much of this was the fact that South Dakota was shooting the ball very well, and how much of this was our poor defense--I am not sure. Nicole Seekamp--their Aussie national team star--had 22 points and looked like she could not miss. Not sure why we did not sell out to stop her.
Performances
Chiney looked good, of course, playing in front of her big sister. But her 23 points and 8 rebounds were a little light considering the caliber of the other team, and considering that she did play 35 minutes.
Bonnie was a big part of the story today--hitting 6/10 three point shots.
Amber had 9 assists. A couple of them were beautiful feeds to a streaking Chiney to catch the Coyotes before they got back. Unfortunately she went cold (0/4) from three point range, but was 5/6 when she cut to the basket. This was a better Amber than we have seen for a while.
Lili looked impressive with 11 points on 4/8 shooting.
Karlie, Erica, and Taylor all had major minutes in the absence of Mikaela.Â
As a team, we shot nearly 50% but we gave up 44%. Defensive rebounds were about even, but we had 16 Oboards to their 7. We also only had 8 turnovers to their 13. Sure enough, Polly Harrington fouled out, which has been her issue all year long, but other than that the refs seems to let a lot go. Perhaps our most impressive stat was 25 assists on 34 made baskets.Â
Overview:
We won. Other than that, the game was mildly encouraging in the crispness of the triangle and the success of our three point shooting. On the other hand, our defense against a smaller, less talented team left much room for improvement.
We will soon be playing Florida State, which shocked us before in 2007--also in the 2nd round--with physical, quick play. They knocked Candice, Jane, Brooke Smith, and Kristin Newlin out. Today, FSU defeated Iowa State on its home court with physical, quick play. They have size in the middle, quickness on the perimeter, and play a tough zone that will batter Chiney inside. This next game will be a difficult one for us. If Bonnie can sink 6 treys again, then I think we will prevail.Â
All year we have needed to deconstruct the zones that teams have used against Chiney. Well FSU will give us our final exam as to whether we have finally solved the problem. Of course, if we win, we may have some other final exams!
Stanford comfortably beat the South Dakota Coyotes, but Mikaela Ruef exited with a concussion. Our offense looked much improved from the last several games, but our defense was suspect--giving up 44% to a much smaller and less talented team.
Flow of the Game
Tara started Sara James along with Chiney, Amber, Lili, and Mikaela--so it was back to the lineup of all our seniors that we used earlier in the year. But just like earlier in the season, Sara got just 11 minutes--and may have cost herself some playing time with a really silly technical foul.
At 19:24 in the first half Chiney drained a short jumper and broke the Pac 12 and Stanford all-time scoring records. South Dakota looked relaxed and focused and played up to the level of their ability. They led for most of the first 5 minutes by focusing on Chiney and making all their shots. Then Bonnie began a rain of threes and the game began to gradually come more and more under our control. We went on a 9-0 run, then an 8-0 run, and by halftime it was a 15 point lead.
About five minutes before the end of the first half, Mikaela Ruef fell to the floor. Her head bounced on the floor and she clutched at it in pain. I hope it is not serious, but they held her out the remainder of the game. Later in the game the cameras caught her smiling and cheering for her team on the bench.
The second half really did confirm that our offense was improved--at least against this level of opposition. It helped that Bonnie hit 6/10 treys and Lili 3/6. But Amber and Lili seemed to be doing a better job slashing to the basket than they did towards the end of the Pac 12 season. The announcers said that when they watched the Stanford practices, Tara was stressing fundamentals. I think Tara must have been drilling us for offensive sharpness--she indicated in the press conference as much and admitted that "our offense had become stale."Â
Once we got ahead by around 20 points we seemed to coast along without padding the lead. How much of this was the fact that South Dakota was shooting the ball very well, and how much of this was our poor defense--I am not sure. Nicole Seekamp--their Aussie national team star--had 22 points and looked like she could not miss. Not sure why we did not sell out to stop her.
Performances
Chiney looked good, of course, playing in front of her big sister. But her 23 points and 8 rebounds were a little light considering the caliber of the other team, and considering that she did play 35 minutes.
Bonnie was a big part of the story today--hitting 6/10 three point shots.
Amber had 9 assists. A couple of them were beautiful feeds to a streaking Chiney to catch the Coyotes before they got back. Unfortunately she went cold (0/4) from three point range, but was 5/6 when she cut to the basket. This was a better Amber than we have seen for a while.
Lili looked impressive with 11 points on 4/8 shooting.
Karlie, Erica, and Taylor all had major minutes in the absence of Mikaela.Â
As a team, we shot nearly 50% but we gave up 44%. Defensive rebounds were about even, but we had 16 Oboards to their 7. We also only had 8 turnovers to their 13. Sure enough, Polly Harrington fouled out, which has been her issue all year long, but other than that the refs seems to let a lot go. Perhaps our most impressive stat was 25 assists on 34 made baskets.Â
Overview:
We won. Other than that, the game was mildly encouraging in the crispness of the triangle and the success of our three point shooting. On the other hand, our defense against a smaller, less talented team left much room for improvement.
We will soon be playing Florida State, which shocked us before in 2007--also in the 2nd round--with physical, quick play. They knocked Candice, Jane, Brooke Smith, and Kristin Newlin out. Today, FSU defeated Iowa State on its home court with physical, quick play. They have size in the middle, quickness on the perimeter, and play a tough zone that will batter Chiney inside. This next game will be a difficult one for us. If Bonnie can sink 6 treys again, then I think we will prevail.Â
All year we have needed to deconstruct the zones that teams have used against Chiney. Well FSU will give us our final exam as to whether we have finally solved the problem. Of course, if we win, we may have some other final exams!
