Hoosier takedown: Girls’s basketball upsets No. 9 Indiana

Whether or not it was the house court docket benefit or the underdog mentality, No. 15 Stanford girls’s basketball (2-0, 0-0 Pac-12) defeated No. 9 Indiana (1-1, 0-0 Huge Ten) on Sunday afternoon, 96-64. Maples witnessed an uproar as the 2 top-25 groups confronted off of their first matchup at Maples Pavilion since 2001.

This recreation is one in every of few in recent times the place Stanford entered the match because the underdog. “We wish groups to maintain sleeping on us,” mentioned senior ahead Cameron Brink. “Since my freshman 12 months we’ve all the time been top-5, so it’s enjoyable to hunt as a substitute of being hunted.” Stanford achieved its third-highest level complete towards a top-10 workforce because the ’99-2000 season.

Within the first three minutes, junior guard Elena Bosgana knocked down two perimeter pictures, placing up the primary factors of the sport. Brink adopted with eight extra for the Cardinal, contributing two three-pointers of her personal.

The second quarter was the best scoring for Stanford, with junior ahead Kiki Iriafen spearheading the 28-point explosion. The Los Angeles native recorded 12 factors and 5 rebounds in her seven minutes performed, choosing up three offensive boards for second-chance layups.

“I believe I’m biased, however Kiki is certainly essentially the most improved participant within the nation from final 12 months to this 12 months,” Brink mentioned.

The Cardinal had been a risk from the perimeter, totaling eight within the half. Although freshman ahead Nunu Agara proved to be an aggressive contributor within the paint, her first factors of the sport resulted from a contested triple.

Total, Stanford’s offense was a well-oiled machine, with the workforce reaching a close to 30-point lead heading into halftime: 54-26.

The second half was simply as productive for the Cardinal, proving the job was not completed but. The guards obtained some motion within the paint, with varied layups and jumpers to maintain Stanford forward.

Within the fourth, the freshmen contributed nearly half of Stanford’s complete — Agara with six and freshman guard Chloe Clardy with 4.

“The freshmen aren’t freshmen … I believe they’re simply enjoying nice,” mentioned coach Tara VanDerveer.

The Cardinal broke a 30-point lead towards their top-10 opponent, closing out the match with a 96-64 win. The offense had a united entrance towards Indiana, passing the ball out when closely guarded and establishing its elite perimeter gamers for open shot makes an attempt.

“This was an excellent check for our workforce and we handed it with flying colours … what I noticed on the market as we speak was unselfish basketball,” VanDerveer mentioned.

Brink and Iriafen concluded the sport with a double-double every, proving to be a pivotal duo in Stanford’s success on either side of the court docket.

“I believe it’s unimaginable,” Iriafen mentioned about enjoying with Brink. “That is our first 12 months on the ground collectively on the identical time. I believe we simply steadiness one another out. Now we have nice power. We type of simply play off one another. We’re all the time in search of one another.”

Brink contributed 20 factors, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks, surpassing 300 profession blocks. She additionally maintained 100% FT, taking pictures 6-for-6 from the foul line.

Iriafen produced 20 factors and 11 boards, eight of which had been defensive. Each gamers performed an element in holding Indiana’s Naismith POY watchlist member Mackenzie Holmes — a participant who has averaged 16.5 factors her complete faculty profession — to simply eight factors.

Three extra Stanford gamers recorded double-digit rating contributions: 13 from Agara, 12 from Leap and 10 from Bosgana.

Bosgana is rising into her function as a major participant for the Cardinal, contributing three defensive rebounds and two assists as properly.

“Elena performed behind individuals lots, whether or not it was the twins [Lexie and Lacie Hull] or Hannah on the wing or different individuals, however she’s simply going to benefit from her time,” VanDerveer mentioned. “She’s going to get higher and higher.”

Stanford’s bench was electrifying each on and off the court docket. With each shot made, particularly three-pointers, gamers would get rowdy for his or her teammates and showcase the power of the bond they share. The bench contributed 28 factors in Sunday’s Hoosier takedown.

The Cardinal appears forward at two extra non-conference video games at residence earlier than heading to Nevada for a Thanksgiving event. Subsequent up is a match towards Cal Poly (1-2, 0-0 Huge Sky) on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.