Publication Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2005
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Stanford clinches no worse than tie for Pac-10 title
Stanford clinches no worse than tie for Pac-10 title
(February 16, 2005) With four Pac-10 games left, Cardinal focus on postseason
by Rick Eymer
The Stanford women's basketball team has smooth sailing ahead for awhile. The fourth-ranked Cardinal clinched a tie for the Pac-10 title with their 91-50 win over host California on Friday, and their reservation in the NCAA tournament was secured long ago.
Stanford (13-1, 22-2) can put itself on cruise control until the Pac-10 tournament begins on March 4, giving the injured players a chance to heal.
If you're Candice Wiggins and the Cardinal though, this is no time to put it in neutral. It's time to rev it up into overdrive.
"This is around the time that teams need to bring it even more," Wiggins said. "We have two more home games, four more Pac-10 games and we have to bring it together and play hard."
Wiggins scored 24 points to lead Stanford to its 13th straight victory over California, and its 12th straight on the Bears' homecourt. Stanford has won 25 of 26 in the series.
"What can you say about Candice?" Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. "She makes a lot happen for us."
Just hand Wiggins the keys to the offense and she'll likely have Stanford driving fiercely past opponents. Seniors Kelley Suminski, who had 13 against Cal, and Susan King Borchardt also enjoy playing at Wiggins' speed.
Stanford will be geared up for its game at USC on Thursday at 7 p.m., even though the Trojans lost twice last week to fall four games behind the leaders.
The focus is on the big picture, and it seems the Cardinal won't be slowing down any time soon.
"Stanford has not been known as a defensive team but defense is the reason they are able to beat teams by so many points," Cal coach Caren Horstmeyer said. "They are consistent no matter who they play. They make it difficult to find an open shot and they force you to rush."
Stanford has outshot its opponents in every game. The Cardinal limited Cal to a season-worst .233, also the lowest percentage against Stanford in a conference game.
It's a simple formula, really.
"People understand if they want to play, they have to play defense," VanDerveer said. "In order to be a great team you have to play defense. We're a versatile defense and I think we're becoming one of our best defensive teams."
Brooke Smith, who scored 20 points, said playing good defense sparks Stanford's offense.
"It feeds our offense because it picks up the pace and the intensity," Smith said.
While Wiggins, who has 64 steals on the year, remains active at the point of attack, Smith and T'Nae Thiel have formed a solid wall of defense in the post.
"T'Nae is one of the best defenders I've ever had the opportunity to coach," VanDerveer said. "She takes pride in her defense."
Thiel had 11 rebounds, six points, three assists and two blocked shots against the Bears.
Smith, who grew up less than 20 miles from the Cal campus, made her first six shots and finished 10-of-12 from the field. She scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting the last time the teams met.
"It's not a Cal thing," Smith said. "I try to play with confidence in every game. When shots are falling, it makes the basket look bigger."
During its current 13-game winning streak, Stanford has won by an average of 21.6 points. Nationally-ranked Boston College came the closest at 76-66. The Cardinal defeated Cal by 35 points the last time they met.
Stanford has led at halftime in all 24 games, 14 times by double figures.
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