It’s solely mid-January, however Pac-12 ladies’s basketball already is near overheating.
Nobody is backing down in opposition to defending nationwide champion Stanford, a lot much less anybody else.
The No. 2-ranked Cardinal fought off beforehand undefeated Colorado 60-52 on Friday and Utah 83-73 on Sunday. Stanford (13-3/4-0) is the one unbeaten workforce in convention play, excluding Arizona State, but to get began resulting from COVID protocol.
No. 7 Arizona held off Oregon State on Thursday, solely to surrender a 17-point lead late within the third quarter in a 68-66 additional time loss at Oregon on Saturday.
Wildcats coach Adia Barnes apologized on social media later Saturday “for being out of character and letting my feelings get the most effective of me.”
Barnes made an inappropriate finger gesture at Oregon coach Kelly Graves, saying on-line that she apologized “as a result of regardless of the disrespect and being stubborn at quite a few instances I ought to haven't responded again.”
She additionally responded to a web based remark about her setting a nasty instance by posting, “In the event you would select to take a seat and get stubborn at by a person that’s on you and what you might be keen to tolerate. However I’m not that lady!”
Arizona guard Shaina Pellington defended Barnes in a Twitter publish:
“My coach had EVERY motive to defend herself final evening. She was stubborn at, and known as out of her title in essentially the most VULGAR methods the ENTIRE recreation by Kelly. We might hear it from the ground whereas PLAYING, in essentially the most HOSTILE atmosphere. He must be held accountable. Easy.”
As of Sunday evening, the Pac-12 had not taken any disciplinary motion in opposition to Barnes or Graves, per a response to the Hotline.
Barnes used her center finger and an expletive in a postgame huddle along with her workforce following a 2021 Ultimate 4 win over Connecticut that was proven on TV. She didn't apologize then for what she thought was a non-public message to her gamers about those that doubted them.
Oregon visits Arizona on Feb. 4 in what shall be an enchanting rematch.
Extra instantly, the Geese host No. 10 Connecticut (9-3) on Monday of their fourth recreation this season in opposition to a special 2021 Ultimate 4 participant. They misplaced to South Carolina (80-63) and Stanford (80-68) earlier than beating Arizona.
UConn involves Eugene on a three-game win streak however at present is with out star sophomore Paige Bueckers and freshman Azzi Fudd resulting from damage.
Stanford digs deep for sweep
So, after a deep breath, let’s leap again to Stanford, which barely managed to remain above the pack.
Towards Colorado, the alternate universe Cardinal performed within the first quarter, committing 13 turnovers. The Buffs had 10 steals, an 11-2 edge in points-off-turnovers and led 15-8.
Stanford completed with 22 turnovers (seven by Haley Jones) but outscored CU in every of the ultimate three quarters, utilizing a late 8-1 run to avert a second straight loss in Boulder.
“I received’t let you know the sport was fairly,” Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer informed reporters. “But it surely was a gritty, gritty win.”
It took a higher-octane willpower to place away Utah, which was making its Pac-12 debut after 5 postponements.
The Utes dominated a lot of the second quarter, main by as many as 13, earlier than Stanford lower its halftime deficit to seven.
The Cardinal labored inside-out within the second half, profiting from 6-foot-4 Cameron Brink, who completed with 24 factors and 11 rebounds. Utah nonetheless led 68-64 with 6:40 left earlier than Stanford shut with a 12-1 surge.
“Stanford is admittedly good, and what they did within the fourth quarter is what they’ve performed all season in shut video games,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts informed reporters.
Utah’s Andrea Torres suffered an damage within the third quarter and didn't return. Freshman Jenna Johnson led the Utes with 15 factors. Lengthy-time starter Brynna Maxwell got here off the bench after beginning the primary 63 video games of her profession.
Sedona Prince keys Oregon comeback
Oregon ahead Sedona Prince scored 10 of her 16 factors within the fourth quarter in opposition to Arizona because the Geese rallied from six down with 2:22 remaining to pressure additional time.
Within the further interval, Arizona’s Bendu Yeaney hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining.
Oregon’s Sydney Parrish missed from behind the road, however Endyia Rogers had simply sufficient time to transform a 3-foot, game-winning observe.
Te-Hina Paopao scored a career-high 24 factors for the Geese whereas Nyara Sabally had 20 factors and 13 reboubnds.
“I feel we confirmed some actual character,” Graves mentioned after the sport. “Now we have it in us and once we had been examined, they got here by way of.”
UCLA beat Washington (63-48) and Washington State (71-58). IImar’I Thomas and Charisma Osborne every had a 25-point recreation for the Bruins.
ASU but to begin Pac-12 play
Cal and ASU didn't play as scheduled resulting from COVID protocol points, leaving the Solar Devils idle since Dec. 30.
They're the one Pac-12 workforce but to play a convention recreation. Washington State already has performed 5; most others have performed three or 4.
“I by no means thought we’d be again the place we had been in one million years,” mentioned ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne, whose groups misplaced seven Pac-12 video games to COVID within the 2020-21 season and is already down six this time.
ASU performed a non-conference recreation in opposition to Lipscomb after Christmas and scrimmaged when video games had been postponed resulting from protocol points for UCLA and USC.
“The subsequent morning (after the scrimmage), the dominoes fell for us,” Turner Thorne mentioned. “The Pac-12 workplace goes to do the most effective they will do to facilitate some make-up video games, however it’s going to be actually difficult.
“We’re an NCAA workforce. This workforce could be actually good. We’ve acquired to get our consistency going.
“Cramming video games in will not be a profitable technique (for the Pac-12). Our groups simply want to indicate their expertise and the way good they are often.”
Turner Thorne expects all of her gamers to be obtainable in opposition to Colorado on Friday.
Weekly lowdown
— Participant of the Week nominees: Cameron Brink (Stanford), Taya Corosdale (Oregon State), Jordyn Jenkins (USC), Jenna Johnson (Utah), Charlisse Leger-Walker (Washington State), Quay Miller (Colorado), Nancy Mulkey (Washington), Charisma Osborne (Washington), Te-Hina Paopao (Oregon), Shaina Pellington (Arizona).
— Freshman of the Week nominees: Jenna Johnson (Utah), Rayah Marshall (USC), Kindyll Wetta (Colorado), Alexis Whitfield (Washington).
— Forward this week: Oregon is at house Monday in opposition to No. 10 Connecticut in a nationally televised non-conference recreation. ASU lastly joins the Pac-12 fray Friday in opposition to Colorado, which additionally performs a make-up recreation at Oregon State on Monday and at Arizona on Sunday. The USC vs. UCLA rivalry video games are Thursday and Sunday.
Help the Hotline: Obtain three months of limitless entry for simply 99 cents. Yep, that’s 99 cents for 90 days, with the choice to cancel anytime. Particulars are right here, and thanks on your assist.
*** Ship options, feedback and suggestions (confidentiality assured) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or name 408-920-5716
*** Observe Metcalfe on Twitter: @jeffmetcalfe
*** Pac-12 Hotline will not be endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Convention, and the views expressed herein don't essentially mirror the views of the Convention.