Cardinal women beat Buckeyes; Lady Vols up next

There was one defensive possession in which freshman Haley Jones defended four different players, switching on screens and never allowing easy access to the basket. She was also in position to pick up a rebound and then push the pace the other way, which led to a Stanford basketball.

“She’s not just a good freshman, she’s a good player, period,” Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer said. “She plays every position, she has stamina, she plays hard and she’s versatile. Her biggest advantage is her brain.”

Jones had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists in helping the top-ranked Cardinal beat Ohio State 71-52 on Sunday in its first game in two weeks.

“I think it’s my teammates,” Jones said. “I’m still learning and I’m listening to all of them. All the freshmen are able to feel comfortable with this team. We know they have our back no matter what we do.”

Kiana Williams, Lexie Hull and Francesca Belibi each added 13 points for the Cardinal (9-0), which hosts No. 23 Tennessee (8-1) at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“We’re still trying to be the best team we can be, but obviously, it’s an opportunity. I’m excited to go out there and play that team,” Lady Vols first-year coach Kellie Harper said. “They’re good; I know they’re good. Our NCAA game in the Sweet 16 last year when I was at Missouri State was against Stanford, so I’m very familiar with them. They have a few freshmen who are excellent basketball players. It’s a great opportunity, and it’s the game you want to be playing.”

Stanford, which played without starters DiJonai Carrington and Lacie Hull, is 11-25 all-time against Tennessee but has won five of the past eight, including last year in Knoxville. The Cardinal has won five of the past six played at Maples.

Former Pinewood standout Hannah Jump scored nine points in three 3-pointers. She’s 20 of 41 (48.8%) from long range and 21 of 43 (48.8%) overall.

Jones, who reached double figures in scoring for the sixth time in seven games, had plenty of offers while at Mitty. She choose Stanford because “with the class coming in and all the returners, I knew it could be something special, not just this year but the next four years.”

Stanford committed 21 turnovers and Ohio State turned it over 24 times. The Cardinal outscored the Buckeyes 28-23 in points off turnovers and those are high numbers for any coach.

“We were sloppy at times,” VanDerveer said. “If I had one bone to pick with this team it’s that we turned the ball over too much. Ohio State is an excellent program. This was a big win for us.”

Hull added a career-high seven steals and Anna Wilson was one off her career-high in assists with five.

After making her first five 3-pointers of the season, junior Estella Moschkau missed her only attempt of the game with 12 seconds remaining to play.