University Southern California Trojans
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*Stanford
USC Stumbles Against No. 10 Stanford
February 19, 2004 | Women's Basketball
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - The USC women's basketball fell to 10th-ranked Stanford, 75-57, in a battle for the Pac-10 conference lead on Thursday night at Maples Pavilion.
The win gives the Cardinal a comfortable game-and-a-half advantage in a tight conference race with only a few games left. The Women of Troy must still face California this Saturday and UCLA next Sunday.
The Cardinal was led by senior Nicole Powell, who had 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for her 44th career double-double.
"This was a big game for us," said Powell. "I thought we were focused and more intense. We didn't make any silly turnovers."
Azella Perryman added 17 points as the Cardinal (19-5, 12-3) won its 27th consecutive conference game at home. Kelley Suminski added 16 points.
Meghan Gnekow led with 15 points for the Women of Troy (14-10, 11-5), who came into the game one half-game behind Stanford. Ebony Hoffman added 13 points and freshman Chloe Kerr led with 10 rebounds.
"We didn't get it done," Hoffman said. "Our defensive intensity wasn't there and I didn't play well. That hurt the team. There's never any room for error in the Pac-10."
USC remained in contention for the Pac-10 title this late in the season for the first time in 10 years despite slipping into third place behind Arizona. USC handed Stanford its first league loss on Jan. 25.
Freshman center Kristen Newlin returned to the Stanford lineup after missing four games with a bone bruise in her right knee, and was a key factor as the Cardinal was able to establish an inside presence.
"It was exciting to have Kristen back," VanDerveer said. "Without her I don't think we pull this off."
USC scored the first seven points of the second half, including an inside jumper by Hoffman, to close to 37-31 with 17:52 remaining.
Suminski hit a 3-pointer three minutes later to help the Cardinal rebuild a double-digit lead.
The Cardinal's 13-1 run - Newlin and Perryman combined for 10 of those points - gave them a 60-41 lead with just over seven minutes to play.
"The slow start killed us and gave them a dose of confidence," USC coach Chris Gobrecht said. "That was the decider. We didn't play very smart."
Stanford used an 11-0 run, capped by a driving layup from Sebnem Kimyacioglu, to take a 19-7 lead midway through the first half. The Cardinal led by as many as 14 points in the final two minutes before settling for a 37-24 halftime advantage.
