Replace: The second recreation within the sequence, No. 2 Stanford at Cal initially scheduled for Sunday Jan. 23 afternoon, has been postponed because of well being and security protocols throughout the Cal program. Tickets bought for Sunday’s recreation can be good for the rescheduled date.
With three gamers scoring over 20 factors and a monster second-half effort, No. 2 Stanford (14-3, 5-0 Pac-12) topped California 97-74 within the first recreation of the 2022 Battle of Bay sequence. The native rivals will meet once more on Sunday at Cal (9-5, 0-3).
Nevertheless, Stanford took the primary contest with a decisive third quarter at Maples Pavilion in entrance of simply household and associates because of the faculty’s momentary restricted attendance coverage because of a spike in Covid-19 instances.
Within the first quarter, Stanford guard Haley Jones started a dominant ten minutes for the Cardinal scoring the primary 4 factors of the sport. In her first begin of the season, Cal heart Fatou Samb countered with a second-chance layup. Nevertheless, beginning with a three-pointer from Hannah Leap, Stanford completed out the quarter on a 16-8 run to go into the second interval main 20-10. Jones led all scorers after the primary ten minutes with 9 factors.
Cal turned the tables on either side of the court docket within the second quarter, giving the reigning nationwide champs a run for his or her cash. 4-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, guard Jayda Curry, had an impressive ten minutes, scoring 13 factors and main all scorers on the break with 16. The Bears outscored the Cardinal 32-22 within the interval to tie the sport up. Additionally, Cal shot 58% (15-26) within the second quarter in comparison with simply 30% (3-10) within the first interval.
The third and fourth quarters have been a distinct story. Stanford turned up its offense and got here out blazing to cease the Bears of their tracks after halftime.
Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer was happy along with her staff’s effort after halftime, “our second half normally however particularly our third quarter.”
“We have been shifting the ball effectively. We did job on the free-throw line. I believe total we had lots of people contribute clearly. Haley and Fran [Belibi] had an actual excessive scoring share.”
Leap paced Stanford with 10 factors within the third quarter, and Jones contributed eight. Stanford’s protection restricted Curry to 6 factors. Total, the Cardinal outscored the Bears a whopping 33-13 within the penultimate quarter to go into the final body main 77-55.
The final interval was extra aggressive, with Stanford outperforming Cal simply 22-19 within the scoring column and Curry getting again into the offensive groove with eight factors. She completed with 30 factors turning into the primary Cal participant to attain 30 or extra since Jaelyn Brown scored 30 in November 2019 in opposition to Arkansas. Leilani McIntosh added 14 factors for the Bears.
Jones had a team-high 26 factors for Stanford, plus ten rebounds and 5 assists. Leap contributed 21 factors. Belibi had a season-high 20 factors plus six rebounds. Cameron Brink was additionally in double figures with 12 factors together with 5 rebounds.
Stanford guard Anna Wilson, who was dressed and on the bench, sat out the sport as a result of she wasn’t feeling effectively, based on VanDerveer. The coach additionally emphasised that Wilson’s situation was not Covid associated.
Stanford strikes to 5-0 in convention play. The subsequent recreation within the sequence is about for 4 p.m. PT on Sunday and televised on the primary Pac-12 Community channel and Pac-12 Bay Space.
