This is the plan the second-ranked Cardinal must follow in order to win the Pac-12 tournament, and to defend their national title.
Lexie Hull scored 14 points, tied her season record with six steals. Cameron Brink had a double-double and No. 2 Stanford won the second half and beat Colorado 63 to 46 on Sunday.
Although trailing at halftime, the Cardinal (21-3, 12-0 Pac-12), outscored Buffaloes 14-5 during the third quarter. Haley Jones scored a huge fourth to keep the Cardinal unbeaten in conference play.
VanDerveer stated that her team’s depth helped them to manage the difficult stretch, which included wins over Oregon State and Utah on Wednesday and Friday. “I don’t think anyone seemed exhausted. They are able to play hard, and they know that they have great teammates who can help them. “Our depth is key to keeping people fresh.”
Four Stanford players reached double figures while nine others played for at least six minutes. Nine different players scored for the national champions. Brink scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to complete her ninth double-double of the season, and 12th in her career. Anna Wilson scored 10 points, had five rebounds, and was able to assist five times.
Wilson stated, “I knew this was going to a tough game.” “We knew what our focus was, so we tried to stay focused and make as many mistakes as possible.”
Jones scored eight of her ten points in the fourth quarter, including back-toback layups that made it 52-40.
Stanford ended Colorado’s 13-0 season in this season’s first round with a win in Boulder of 60-52. After Hull’s 3-pointer in the third, Stanford never trailed. Hull added another three in the fourth, putting the Cardinal ahead by 14.
Lesila Finau scored 11 for Colorado (16-7,5-7).
Mya Hollingshed was the Buffaloes’ top scorer with 10 points. It was a difficult afternoon. After being on the bench for the first half, she picked up three fouls midway through the second and then received a severe head hit in the fourth.
VanDerveer stated that “I think their depth wore them down somewhat.” They’re a completely different team without Hollingshed.
The first half ended with Colorado at 12-2. Quay Miller’s score gave the Buffaloes a lead of 30-29.
BIG PICTURE
Colorado: The Buffaloes are still winless in their 13 Maples Pavilion games. They committed eight turnovers in quarter one, shot 5 of 31, and scored just 16 points in the second half.
Stanford: Defense remains the strength of this team. Stanford showed it again against a Colorado side that defeated the Cardinal in overtime last year. Wilson was once again the anchor of the defense effort, but Hull and other players played important roles.
UP NEXT
Colorado: Friday’s Plays at UCLA
Stanford: Oregon State plays Stanford on Friday
