Stanford and coach Tara VanDerveer haven’t misplaced since earlier than Christmas. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Per week that began with Wednesday blowouts remodeled right into a weekend of upsets and nail biters as Pac-12 ladies’s basketball groups scrambled to stay related for the NCAA Event.
Arizona State and Oregon State secured splits with their nationally ranked rivals whereas Utah and Washington State squeezed out 2-1 weeks regardless of being on the shedding finish of routs.
First, although, it’s necessary to acknowledge Stanford, which is three-and-a-half video games forward of its closest Pac-12 pursuer — Oregon — with two weeks left within the common season.
The No. 2-ranked Cardinal received thrice, bettering to 21-3 total, remaining unbeaten within the convention (12-0) and staying onerous on the path of No. 1 South Carolina.
Going into Sunday, a case might be made that Stanford has executed sufficient since its 65-61 loss to South Carolina on Dec. 21 to warrant making inroads on the Gamecocks in nationwide polls. However South Carolina closed the week stronger, profitable 72-54 over No. 17 Georgia whereas Stanford trailed Colorado 30-29 at halftime earlier than turning it on for a 63-46 win.
“We’re enjoying nice competitors and our crew is rising to the problem,” Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer advised reporters after her crew dominated Utah 91-64 on Friday. The Cardinal additionally blasted Oregon State 82-59 on Wednesday and is on a 13-game profitable streak.
“We’re bettering. We’ve simply received to maintain doing what we’re doing. Totally different persons are stepping up for us each night time. It’s nice for this crew (to know) I’ve received to be on the market and produce it as a result of if I don’t another person will. We wish everybody bringing it each night time.”
Stanford had 5 double-figure scorers towards Oregon State, led by Hannah Leap with 19 factors. Six gamers reached double figures towards Utah, whereas Cameron Brink had a double-double towards Colorado (11 factors, 11 rebounds) and Anna Wilson chipped in 10 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
“Everybody desires to play actually onerous and provides their greatest effort,” Wilson stated after Utah. “Protection is de facto necessary for the place we need to go. In the event you can play protection each night time very well, the offense will come.”
ASU pulls largest upset of week, once more
The Solar Devils produced the Pac-12’s largest upset for a second straight week, knocking off sixth-ranked Arizona 81-77 on Friday and coming near what would have been a surprising sweep Sunday.
However Arizona averted back-to-back losses for the fourth time this season with a 62-58 victory earlier than 8,480 in Tucson.
ASU’s Jade Loville scored 27 within the first recreation however solely eight within the rematch, when Arizona led 27-22 in rebounding after shedding badly on the boards (42-27) in Tempe.
The break up possible did little to harm Arizona, which was the No. 6 total seed Thursday within the NCAA choice committee’s second early take a look at the highest 16 seeds. The Wildcats’ place possible helps ASU (12-9/4-4), which is amongst a number of Pac-12 groups teetering close to the bubble for the 68-team postseason.
“We’re proper there,” ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne stated. “This reveals us the place we’re at. They disrupted us greater than they did Friday for certain.”
There have been a mixed 41 turnovers Sunday, when the largest offensive distinction maker for Arizona was freshman guard Madison Conner with a season excessive 16 factors.
Oregon State rises up for vital win
The opposite rivalry collection ended with a break up between No. 24 Oregon and Oregon State.
Sunday’s 68-62 win in Eugene was of excessive precedence for the Beavers (12-9/5-6), who, like Washington State and UCLA, dipped out of ESPN’s NCAA Event projected subject going into the weekend.
Oregon received 74-66 in Corvallis on Friday, and Oregon State couldn't afford a fifth consecutive defeat with Stanford developing subsequent.
The Geese had been nowhere near the shape they confirmed on Wednesday in an 83-30 win over Washington State that got here even with out star Nyara Sabally.
Nonetheless, they pulled even at 36 with three minutes left within the third quarter. It might have been comprehensible for Oregon State to crack earlier than 8,404 at Knight Area, however the Beavers regrouped. They made 13-of-20 free throws within the last quarter (26-of-38 total) to beat 19 turnovers. Talia Von Oelhoffen had a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double for Oregon State.
The Geese had been No. 16 total within the newest NCAA seeding reveal, earlier than the rivalry video games, and are nonetheless in place to host an NCAA sub-regional.
The break up may have an effect on that, and definitely the Geese have work to do via the Pac-12 Event to guarantee they've home-court benefit for the primary and second rounds.
Washington State regroups after 30-point recreation
Washington State’s week started so poorly towards Oregon – 17.5 p.c capturing, together with 3-of-29 from 3-point vary – that bleeding over into the weekend appeared inevitable.
“I nervous about that,” Cougars coach Kamie Ethridge advised reporters. “I assumed this might actually have an effect on us.”
However the Cougars (16-8/8-5) pulled out a last-second 66-65 win over UCLA on Friday, then fought off USC 57-54 on Sunday to complete the week in fourth place behind the three nationally ranked groups.
Krystal Leger-Walker was the hero towards UCLA with a rebound and 3-point play for Washington State’s second straight house win over the Bruins.
“It’s loopy it went in,” Leger-Walker stated. “You simply chuck it up and hope for one of the best. On the free throw, I attempted to not suppose in any respect and simply give attention to the shot.”
— Utah blasted USC 91-69 on Wednesday, solely to lose by virtually the identical margin to Stanford, leaving a street recreation towards California to determine the week.
— The Bears scored final in regulation on a Leilani McIntosh shot, then Utah freshman Gianna Kneepkens took command in extra time with 9 of her 21 factors, together with the sport’s last seven in an 80-75 win.
— UCLA, Utah and ASU all are hovering round .500 in Pac-12 play with differing numbers of video games performed as a consequence of these misplaced to COVID protocol. Colorado and Oregon State are shut behind.
The Cougars and Buffaloes lead in total wins (16) among the many group.
Weekly lowdown
— Participant of the Week nominees: Mael Gilles (Arizona State), Mya Hollingshed (Colorado), Lexie Hull (Stanford), Jordyn Jenkins (USC), Krystal Leger-Walker (Washington State), Leilani McIntosh (California), Kennady McQueen (Utah), Charisma Osborne (UCLA), Te-Hina Paopao (Oregon), Cate Reese (Arizona), Lauren Schwartz (Washington), Talia Van Oelhoffen (Oregon State).
— Freshman of the Week nominees: Jayda Curry (California), Kiki Iriafen (Stanford), Gianna Kneepkens (Utah), Rayah Marshall (USC).
— Forward this week: ASU continues on the street for 3 extra video games — and 4 whole in eight days. Oregon faces a 3rd straight three-game week together with a non-conference date with UCLA to make up for a recreation dominated a forfeit towards the Bruins as a consequence of lack of wholesome (non-COVID) gamers on Jan. 28.
The Geese additionally host Stanford in a nationally televised recreation Sunday.
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