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STANFORD, Calif. – No. 15 Stanford flexed its versatility in a house opener 87-40 rout of Hawai’i Wednesday night time at Maples Pavilion. With a solid that features seasoned upperclassmen and three gifted freshmen, the Cardinal had an excessive amount of velocity, peak, and scoring prowess in opposition to the Rainbow Wahine, the two-time defending Massive West champion.
Freshmen Anticipated to Log Many Minutes
Stanford’s three freshmen, who’ve given themselves the moniker Tree-o, had the chance to play at the least 12 minutes every, giving them worthwhile expertise early within the season. At factors within the sport, all three have been on the court docket collectively.
“I don’t even consider them as freshmen,” Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer stated, and added, “They actually know what they’re doing.” She made it identified that the freshman can be enjoying loads of minutes this season.
“I give credit score to our upperclassmen who acknowledge the truth that we’d like we’d like our freshmen to play and never be, quote, freshmen.”
Iriafen on Fireplace Offensively
Junior ahead Kiki Iriafen set the tone early, scoring first and tallying six factors shortly within the first interval as her crew raced out to a 10-2 lead throughout the first three minutes. The pattern continued as the house crew completed the primary body main Hawai’i 24-12.
Stanford saved a foot on the gasoline pedal within the second quarter, outscoring the guests 22-10 with Iriafen persevering with to showcase her offensive abilities scoring 9 earlier than the half. Heading into the break, the Cardinal had a snug 46-22 benefit. At that time, Iriafen led all scorers with 17 factors plus 9 rebounds. She was the one participant in double figures after 20 minutes. Nonetheless, six different gamers on her crew have been additionally within the scoring column. No participant for Hawai’i had greater than six factors at halftime.
The third quarter was a dismal one for the Rainbow Wahine. With simply eight factors within the scoring column, in comparison with Stanford’s 20 within the quarter, they went into the final interval with a 36-point deficit as Stanford led 66-30.
Nunu Time within the Second Half
VanDerveer used the large benefit to offer her first-years enjoying time within the second half. Ahead Nunu Agara (Hopkins/Minnetonka, MN) who had six factors within the first half, exploded within the second and completed with 18 factors plus six rebounds. Her efficiency marked the very best level whole for a Stanford freshman in a season opener since Candice Wiggins scored 24 at Utah in 2004.
“We’ve been working very onerous within the offseason, and sort of what you noticed at the moment from Kiki and Nunu is issues I’ve been watching day-after-day in observe,” VanDerveer stated. “Kiki has been only a lady on the market, simply taking the ball within the basket scoring, enjoying nice protection, rebounding. And you recognize, she actually solely performed about half the sport.”
First-year ahead Courtney Odgen (Westminster/Atlanta, GA) performed 12 minutes and scored seven factors. Sadly, she additionally fouled out with 4:33 left within the sport. Guard Chloe Cardy (Conway/Conway, AR) performed quarter-hour and pulled down three rebounds.
Iriafen was the sport’s main scorer with 23 factors plus 13 rebounds. Junior ahead Brooke Demetre added 12 factors plus eight rebounds. Junior guard Elena Bosgana in her first begin, contributed 10 factors plus eight rebounds. Senior ahead Cameron Brink, who averaged 15.1 factors per sport final season, had eight factors plus eight rebounds and 5 assists.
“We’ve been working very onerous within the offseason what you noticed at the moment from Kiki and Nunu is issues I’ve been watching day-after-day in observe,” VanDerveer stated in regards to the main scorers.
Subsequent Up
Brookly Rewars led Hawai’i with eight factors and three rebounds. The Rainbow Wahine are on a street journey that may take them to close by Santa Clara subsequent for a sport on Saturday.
Stanford stays at dwelling to host VanDerveer’s alma mater, Indiana, on Sunday at 2 p.m. PT. The sport can be televised on ESPN.
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