Stanford Stanford (February 18, 2004)is back in first

Arizona loses twice, allowing Cardinal to regain Pac-10 lead

by Rick Eymer

One week after falling out of first place in the Pac-10 Conference, the Stanford women's basketball team finds itself right back on top with the conference destiny resting clearly in the Cardinal's corner.

Stanford did its part on Saturday, beating California, 61-53, and getting some big-time productivity out of T'Nae Thiel and Azella Perryman in the post.

Arizona and Arizona State teamed up to put the double whammy on the Cardinal and knock them out of the conference lead two weeks ago.

Last week, USC and UCLA, two of the hottest teams in the Pac-10 these days and Stanford's next two opponents, came up with their own version of the double-double, sending the Wildcats, who spent the week among the nation's top 25, and the Sun Devils reeling.

Following Sunday night's action, Stanford (11-3, 18-5) stood alone in first place again, but there's a new contender rapping on the door. USC (11-4, 14-9) is a half-game back of the Cardinal and aiming to do some damage on Thursday when it visits Maples Pavilion at 7 p.m. Arizona (10-4, 17-7) is a game back with UCLA (9-6, 14-10) and Arizona State (9-5, 15-8) still nipping at the heels.

The Women of Troy handed Stanford its first conference loss back on Jan. 25, and if there's any need for more motivation, USC is also the last Pac-10 team to win at Stanford. The Women of Troy beat the Cardinal, 62-59, on March 1, 2001 and Stanford has won 26 straight Pac-10 games at home since.

"We worked extremely hard in practice and I think our effort was good," said Stanford guard Susan Borchardt. "That's something we're going to continue to look to do; keep playing hard and playing with heart."

Thiel scored a season-high 16 points against the Bears, three off her career high, and Perryman added 11 rebounds as Stanford continues to look for ways to expand its offense beyond Nicole Powell.

"I want to make myself available in the offense," said Thiel, also one of Stanford's top offensive rebounders. "I was posting up and getting the ball in the block."

Injuries have decimated the post position. Thiel and Perryman missed games at the beginning of the season, while freshman center Kristen Newlin has missed four games with a bone bruise in her right knee, and Chelsea Trotter continues to play with two chronically sore knees. Even Powell missed several games with a sprained ankle.

Newlin is on her way back, and having Thiel and Perryman back are a big plus as the Cardinal looks to finish the regular season strong.

"T'Nae and Azella have to be the first option coming down the court," said Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. "We have to pass the ball better. When Kristen gets back, we'll be better."

Borchardt added 14 points and Kelley Suminski had 11 as Stanford was able to attack Cal from several places on the court. Powell didn't have to take the game over and that's how VanDerveer likes to see things.

"We can't depend on one person to carry us," she said. "That's what everybody said this week. T'Nae said she'd help. Susan pushed it and was a big key for us, and Azella stepped up and did a good job."

Powell still had a solid all-around game despite making just four of 13 shots. She also had nine rebounds and a game-high five assists.

"Nicole had some good shots but they didn't go down for her," said VanDerveer. "I think she was pressing a little bit."

Should Stanford hold home court advantage this week, it should be in good shape heading into the final week up in Oregon.

Last year after losing at Arizona, the Cardinal swept through the Pac-10 tournament, which included a victory over the Wildcats in the tournament championship, and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Stanford is hoping for a repeat this year, with a deeper round into the NCAA tournament. As players return to health, it becomes a distinct possibility.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.