Lili Thompson managed to score nine points as No. 7 Stanford’s leading scorer in Wednesday’s 54-46 loss to host Chattanooga in a nonconference women’s basketball game.
The Cardinal (6-3) did most everything well enough except shoot the ball. It’s been a problem through the early part of the season and reached a low point against the Mocs.
Stanford, which held a substantial 49-34 rebounding margin, was limited to under 28 percent shooting from the field, including a woeful 23.5 percent in the second half.
It wasn’t limited to 3-point shooting, though making 1 of its last 10 didn’t help, as the Cardinal missed layup after layup.
Kaylee Johnson continued to shine on the boards, adding 12 rebounds to her already impressive freshman season. She’s the nation’s top rebounding freshman with a 12.4 average.
Chattanooga (7-3) is a solid team and even beat No. 11 Tennessee, Stanford’s next opponent. The Cardinal won’t beat many people shooting under 30 percent. In earlier losses, the Cardinal shot 31 percent against North Carolina and 36 percent (1 of 7 in overtime) against Texas.
Stanford opened the contest making four of six shots and then missed 13 straight. Taylor Greenfield’s 3-pointer late in the first half brought the Cardinal within 29-28 at the intermission.
It never got any better in the second half though, with Stanford missing 12 of its first 14 shots and allowing the Mocs to pull ahead, 44-34.
Even with all its scoring problems, the Cardinal drew within 47-44 on a pair of free throws from Karlie Samuelson with 2:10 remaining to play in the contest.
Stanford committed four turnovers and missed all four if its shots the rest of the way, with a pair of Bonnie Samuelson free throws the only scoring.
Chattanooga had an 18-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
This team looks like it has a huge problem with morale that is affecting the on court play. Tara Vanderveer is a great coach who needs to become a great team builder and positively inspire her team.