Stanford Champions of NCAA National Title 54-53

Reining Champions of Women’s NCAA basketball the Stanford Cardinal hold up the Championship Trophy going all the way defeating the Arizona Wildcats at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Sun Apr 4, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Stanford women took on the Arizona Wildcats in search for a championship: the first ever all Pac-12 NCAA basketball title game. Stanford coming off a wild game that went right down to the buzzer winning over South Carolina who had a real shot at winning the game. That score was 66-65. One thing you could say about the Cardinal they kept it close again edging out the Wildcats for a 54-53 Championship victory in the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Stanford was able to pull off the win but the Cardinal will need everyone on board for the title game. Arizona has made a lot of noise beating No. 2 Texas A&M, No. 4 Indiana and No.1 Connecticut.They have the title in their sites. Aari McDonald & Co. will be ready for this one and will be gunning for the No. 1 overall seed Stanford.

The Cardinal will need Kiana Williams totally onboard for the game. She has struggled the past few games and her team will really need her to step up in this one. Haley Jones had an amazing game against South Carolina and hopes to pick up right where she left off on Friday in the Final Four. Ana Wilson will bring her defensive prowess along with Lexie Hull and Ashsten Prechtel who was great off the bench.

Stanford won both of their regular season matchups and got the third win against the Wildcats in the Championship Tournament. If trends prove true, it is especially difficult to beat a team three times in one basketball season. Both of those games were one-sided. Arizona has made great strides to come into this game with outstanding defense and was considered extremely dangerous.

Stanford was looking for their third national title under Head Coach Tara VanDerveer who won titles in 1990 and1992.

At the half Stanford led by the score of 31-24. They had been able to keep Aari McDonald under wraps allowing only five points. The high score for Arizona came off the bench from Shaina Pellington with seven points.

Lexie Hull had eight points for the half followed by Ashten Prechtel who again had a great first half off the bench. Every starter for Stanford turned in points in the half for a well-balanced first half. They were two quarters away from a national title.

Arizona outscored Stanford in the third and fourth quarters but came up just shy with Stanford winning another blockbuster game 54-53. These girls just hung in there and willed themselves to win giving Tara VanDerveer her third national title.

Aari McDonald came up with a big 22 points in the loss. Shaina Pellington had 15 points off the bench in a terrific outing for Arizona. The Wildcats had a great game coming up just short as time expired.

Stanford had some great numbers from their starters. Haley Jones had 17 points, Lexi Hull with 10 and Cameron Brink also with 10 points. The ever consistent Ashten Prechtel had seven off the bench.

It has been an amazing season for Tara VanDerveer and her team as they celebrate their third title. They played an awesome tournament withstanding a lot of pressure and rising to the occasion in every game. A big congrats to Stanford Women’s basketball and we all look forward to next season.

NCAA Championship Tournament podcast with Michelle Richardson:Both number ones Gonzaga and Baylor Monday night; Stanford-Arizona women was a battle for the ages

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme, left, ball handles against UCLA guard David Singleton (34) and forward Cody Riley, right, on Sat Apr 3, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Championship podcast with Michelle:

#1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-0) played for their lives and pulled it off against the UCLA Bruins (22-10) on Saturday to advance to the NCAA Championship Tournament on Monday night

#2 Michelle, Baylor (27-2) and Gonzaga both number ones have been playing almost perfect basketball all season long. Gonzaga comes into the Championship Tournament perfect and the favorites over Baylor but how do you see this one turning out?

#3 Stanford Cardinal (31-2) women faced off against fellow Pac 12 school the Arizona Wildcats (21-6) in the Championship Tournament in one of the tightest games on Sunday as Stanford for the second straight won by just one point this time 66-65. These two teams see each other during the regular season Stanford women’s are NCAA women’s Champions.

Michelle’s Final Thoughts

Michelle Richardson podcasted NCAA Sports from the beginning of the college football season to the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Holds On To Defeat South Carolina 66-65

Stanford Cardinal women celebrate winning the Final Four against the South Carolina Gamecocks in San Antonio to advance to the Women’s Championship on Sunday Apr 4, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday afternoon the Stanford Cardinal Ladies took on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four. One team had a far easier time advancing while the other had to make quite a comeback. South Carolina was able to get past sixth-seeded Texas who went cold as ice at the worst possible time.

On the other end of the spectrum Louisville had a great shot at beating Stanford but the Cardinal Ladies had a different scenario in mind. Struggling the start the game, Stanford mounted a comeback that Louisville was unable to squelch. Stanford had an amazing second half in that game that cemented the trip to the Final Four. The final score was 78-63.

Now it was on to the Final Four for Stanford in search of a berth in the National Finals against a very tough South Carolina team that is well-balance offensively and defensively. After the first quarter Stanford again had a bit of a slow start when South Carolina went on a 11-2 run. The Cardinal turned that slow start around real quick and by the end of the quarter Stanford and South Carolina were locked at 15. This game would be a fight to the end with two extraordinary offenses and defenses.

South Carolina has some very tough shot blocking which did give Stanford some problems although with two minutes left in the half Stanford led by a slim margin 26-25. As the half came to an end Stanford had extended their lead 31-25. The slow start by Stanford to start the game was long forgotten. Haley Jones had the high score in the half with nine points followed by Lexie Hull with eight, and Ashton Prechtel had seven points off the bench.

South Carolina’s Zia Cooke had double digits with twelve points. She shot two three-pointers in the half and she was proving to be a handful for the Stanford defense. Through the first half the Cardinal defense were holding their own against Cooke, proving that they were up for the task.

Stanford’s Haley Jones picked up where she left off in the second half as the Cardinal ladies continued to lead in the third quarter. South Carolina was having none of it as Cooke continued her rampage. With three minutes left in the third quarter the score was tied at 43. As the third quarter came to an end, Stanford led 52-49. Stanford’s Haley Jones had shot twenty points while South Carolina’s Zia Cooke led her team with twenty-three points.

It was a wild fourth quarter with a heart-breaking conclusion for South Carolina. With 6 seconds left on the clock Carolina had a clear shot that simply failed giving Stanford the win 66-65. It could not have been a closer or well-played game by either teams. Haley Jones would finish with 24 points followed by Hull with 18 points. Lexie Hull had an amazing 13 rebounds. South Dakota’s Zia Cooke scored 25 points in the loss.

Sunday the Stanford Cardinal will play for the National title. They have achieved their goal for a berth in the finals and now await their opponent. They will either play Arizona or UConn. The time for this game is still to be determined.

Stanford Cardinal/Final Four podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Stanford knows South Carolina no joke

Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink is jubilant after the Elite 8 win over Louisville Cardinals on Tue Mar 30, 2021 at the Alamodome in San Antonio (gostanford.com photo)

#1 The two number ones gather for the Women’s Final Four on Friday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio the No.1 South Carolina Gamecocks (26-4) who bring in a seven game win streak most recently defeated No.6 Texas (21-10) and that game wasn’t even close 62-34. Will South Carolina’s defense have to be something to be concerned about for No.1 Stanford Cardinal (29-2).

#2 The Cardinal are coming off a come back win against the Louisville Cardinals 78-63. The Cardinal were behind by 12 points at half time but bounced right back in the third and fourth quarters to get the 78-63 win.

#3 For Louisville their only scorer to finish in double figures was guard Dana Evans with 24 points for Evans it had to be tough doing all the lifting against a solid Stanford defense in the second half.

#4 The second half of Tuesday night’s game was the difference and the fourth quarter the Cardinal allowed the Cardinals to score only 13 points once again the Cardinal defense shutdown their opponent and got them in the next round.

#5 So it’s South Carolina and Stanford in the Final Four always exciting to get there and the Cardinal and head coach Tara VanDerveer have been itching to win a Final Four how do you like Stanford’s chances against South Carolina on Friday night.

Jerry Feitelberg podcasted Stanford basketball for the 2020-21 season for http://www.sportradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal/Final Four podcast with Jerry Feitelberg Thu Apr 1, 2021 by Sports Radio Service (soundcloud.com)

 

Stanford Ladies Comeback To Beat Louisville 78-63

No.1 Stanford Cardinal Alyssa Jerome (10), Lexie Hull (12) and Anna Wilson (3) are all smiles after their defeat over the Louisville Cardinals

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night Stanford Cardinal (29-2) Ladies Basketball took on the Louisville Cardinals (26-4) in hopes of punching their ticket to the Final Four. They are led by Kiana Williams and a host of other talented players. Williams is currently shooting 47 percent three pointers and shows no signs of slowing. The entire team has been playing lights out basketball and stopping them will be a challenge for any team. The Louisville Cardinals are gunning to be the victors in this Elite Eight matchup.

Louisville will have to bring their defense big time in this game and not allow Stanford to get into a rhythm. There are seven players on the Cardinal team that shoot the three so this is a big challenge for Louisville. All eyes will be on Dana Evans who shot 29 points in the Louisville Sweet Sixteen win. How will Evans and team mates handle the lethal offense of Stanford is one pressing question.

Stanford’s Ana Wilson will be facing Evans and that will be the matchup to watch in this game. It will have a lot top do with the outcome of this game.

Things did not go at all the way that Stanford had hoped for in the first quarter. Louisville led 21-13 and had forced a lot of turnovers coupled with three 3-pt plays. When Stanford’s Williams started to force the ball it was time to slow it down and get into the rhythm that we are used to seeing on this team. In the quarter Louisville really put the stops on the Stanford offense while at the same playing brilliant offense themselves.

The second quarter was a tough one for Stanford as well. Kiana Williams struggled mightily throughout the half. She had eleven misses to start the third quarter. The score \was 38-26 in favor of Louisville at halftime. The Cardinal ladies had a lot of work ahead of them in the second half.

The third quarter saw a Kiana Williams revival coupled with some great rebounds and after trailing by 12 points Stanford had narrowed the Louisville lead to 1 point. At 2:11 left in the quarter Stanford took the lead 46-45. As the third quarter came to an end the Louisville Cardinals had a two-point lead 50-48.

The Stanford ladies really turned it on in the fourth quarter offensively and defensively. They were unstoppable as Louisville struggled at both ends of the court. After a slow start Stanford looked every bit like the overall top seed. The final was 78-63 in favor of Stanford. Hull finished with 21 points, Williams with 14 and Jones with 10. Prechtel finished with 16 off the bench for Stanford. Louisvilles Dana Evans had 24 points.

It was an incredible turnaround as now Stanford moves onto the Final Four to take on South Carolina.

No.1 Stanford crushes No.5 Missouri State 89-62

Stanford Cardinal women advance to the Elite 8 the opponent to be determined on Tue Mar 31, 2021 (@StanfordWBB image)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the NCAA Women’s Sweet Sixteen saw the top-ranked overall Stanford Cardinal (28-2) take on the No. 5 Missouri St. Lady Bears (23-3). Both teams were looking to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight. The Lady Bears had a huge task trying to contain the offense of the Cardinal. It wasn’t even close as the Cardinal won it by 27 points 89-62 to advance to the next round on Tuesday.

The Stanford offense, an ever evolving team thanks to the legendary Tara VanDerveer, presented the biggest problem for Missouri St. VenDerveer never settles, and continues to become better and better striving for excellence year after year.

The Stanford offense took an eight point lead after the first quarter 23-16. The Lady Bears fought hard trying contain the lethal offense of the Cardinal but they would be overwhelmed in the first half. Stanford’s offense and defense was up for the task managing the game beautifully.

The second quarter saw the Cardinal amp it up yet another level in complete control of this game. As the clock ran down on the quarter the Cardinal were firing on all cylinders knocking down three’s left and right. Stanford led 49-26 at the half. We have seen Missouri fall behind in past games only to come back and win but the stellar offensive and defensive execution of the Cardinal would challenge the Lady Bears in the second half.

Both Kiana Williams and Anna Wilson, little sis of quarterback Russell Wilson, scored ten points in the first half. Haley Jones had eight points and Lacie Hull with nine points. It was a great offensive effort for Stanford in both quarters.

Stanford was a runaway freight train in the third quarter pushing their lead to 71-37 denying Missouri at every turn. The Lady Bears had only allowed 45 points in their previous game but they were facing the best of the best, something they had not faced all tournament. This was total domination by the Cardinal.

A game is not typically called to start a fourth quarter but the writing was indelibly carved on the wall in this one. The final score was 89-62. To their credit, the Lady Bears continued to fight in this game and actually outscored Stanford in the fourth quarter 25-18.

Stanford’s Hannah Jump had an amazing 17 points off the bench with Williams finishing with 16, Wilson with 13 and Jones with 11.

Stanford now moves into the Elite Eight Tuesday, March 30, their opponent TBD.

Stanford Cardinal/March Madness podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Cardinal No.2 to meet No.11 Missouri State on Saturday for round three

Stanford Cardinal guard Anna Wilson sets up to hit a three pointer against Oklahoma State Cowgirls during round two of the NCAA Tournament in San Antonio TX on Tue Mar 23, 2021 (AP News photo)

#1 The Stanford women will meet the Missouri State Lady Bears this Saturday March 27th in the Sweet 16 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The Cardinal are coming off two straight big wins against Utah Valley State and more recently Oklahoma State how much will momentum be a factor for Stanford going into Saturday’s action.

#2 The Cardinal are moving into their third round but they’ve been considered a heavy favorite going into the tournament and no really doubts what they can do here in March Madness.

#3 Jerry, talk about the plays, the strategy the work that Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer takes going into Saturday’s game against Missouri.

#4 For VanDerveer a career March Madness Tournament win loss record of 60-23. Oddsmakers say this should be the Stanford women’s year to get and win the Final Four and VanDerveer is the coach that can get them there.

#5 Jerry, the Cardinal are getting some top scoring from guard Haley Jones, guard Kiana Williams, forward Cameron Brink, and guard Ann Wilson all whom finished in double figures in their last game against Oklahoma State.

Jerry will do the Stanford Cardinal podcasts throughout the March Madness Tournament each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal Advance in NCAA Women’s Basketball; Defeat Oklahoma State 73-62

Guard Kiana Williams (23) of the Stanford Cardinal takes a shot over Oklahoma State guard Neferatali Notoa in the second half of the second round at San Antonio Tx of the NCAA Tournament (AP News photo)

 Stanford Cardinal Advance in NCAA Women’s Basketball

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the No.1 seeded Stanford Cardinal took on No.8 Oklahoma State in the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament. Stanford advanced to the second round via a dominating win over 16-seed Utah Valley 87-44.

Oklahoma State earned a spot in the second round beating No. 9 seed Wake Forest 84-61 giving them a shot at upsetting the number one seed and playing in the sweet sixteen. Only losing two regular season games the Cardinal would be tough to get by, even to a determined Oklahoma State, which they managed to do with a 73-62 win to advance to the next round on Tuesday night.

Oklahoma State did not get off to the best start but they more than made up for it trailing by a single point as the first quarter came to an end 17-16. Making up a 8-0 deficit in the early goings they came on strong in the waning minutes of the quarter.

Stanford extinguished the fire that Oklahoma State had finished the first quarter with leading at the half 42-27. The Cardinal had come unleashed in the second quarter denying any chance for the Cowgirls to get back in this game. After two quarters the Cardinal Anna Wilson led the scoring with 11 points and Kiana Williams had nine points to finish the half.

Stanford took up right where they left off in the first half taking a hefty lead in the third quarter. They were on fire from deep, hitting 11 of 15 mid-way through the quarter. As the quarter came to an end the Cowgirls pulled off a 10-0 run getting to within ten points after trailing by 20.

Going into the fourth quarter Stanford led by the score of 50-61. When it looked as if Stanford had taken complete control of the game Oklahoma State showed that they were capable of giving Stanford a lot of trouble.

Stanford had a bit of a letdown in the early minutes of the fourth quarter but always managed to come up with timely buckets to keep a significant lead and keeping Oklahoma State under control. The Cowgirls continued to fight trailing by 11 points as half of the final quarter had expired. Five minutes stood between the Cardinal and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.

The number one overall seed; the Stanford Cardinal would advance for the 13th consecutive time. Stanfords’ Jones would finish the game with 17 points, Williams with 13, Wilson with 12 and Brink shooting 11.

Oklahoma State fought hard in this game, their high score coming from Notoa with 14 followed by Mack with 13.

Stanford will now take on the winner of Missouri State or Wright State in the Sweet Sixteen.

              

NCAA March Madness podcast with Michelle Richardson: Ewing, Hoyas get surprise loss to Colorado; FSU 10 pt win over UNCG; Stanford and Utah Valley women tip off tonight

March Madness 2021 is the topic for Michelle’s NCAA basketball podcast (photo from LA Times)

#1 The Georgetown Hoyas (13-13) were expected to big the favorites in their game against the Colorado Buffaloes (20-7) on Saturday but pulled off a convincing 96-73 win to the disappointment of Hoya’s head coach Patrick Ewing.

#2 The Florida State Seminoles (15-5) pulled off a 64-54 victory over the UNC Greensboro Spartans (18-8) The Seminoles RaiQuan Gray led the Seminoles in scoring with 17 points. The Seminoles have had a great season now advancing as they are playing for their sixth first round win.

#3 Women’s first round basketball Stanford Cardinal (25-2) No.1 seed will match up tonight against No.16 Utah Valley Wolverines (13-6). The Cardinal are coming in with a 14 game winning streak. The Cardinal have not lost a game since Jan 22 to UCLA 70-66. The Wolves had a six game win streak going until they lost to Grand Canyon in the WAC Tournament 57-54.

Michelle’s Final Thoughts

Join Michelle throughout March Madness for podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Stanford women No.1 ranked; Stanford men da Silva back but it just wasn’t enough as Cardinal fall way short

Stanford women’s head coach Tara VanDerveer holds the netting after the Cardinal beat UCLA on Sun Mar 8, 2021 as the Cardinal continue in the Pac 12 Tournament (photo from @GoStanfordWBB)

On the Cardinal podcast with Jerry F:

#1 We’ll start off talking about women’s basketball Jerry, the Stanford women (25-2) got a big win over UCLA (16-5) on Sunday 75-55 a game that showed you what this team can do and why their ranked No. 1.

#2 Michaela Onyenwere last Sunday scored 30 points and has been a key part of the offense for the Stanford women.

#3 Turning to men’s basketball last night at the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas. The Cal Bears played wire to wire against the Stanford Cardinal. The Cardinal just couldn’t generate the kind of offense they’ve had in past games this season and it wasn’t even close in the loss 76-58.

#4 Oscar da Silva returned from the injured list and scored 12 points and Jaiden Delaire finished first in scoring with 14 but it was too little for Stanford to beat Cal.

#5 What’s has to be in store for Stanford head coach Jerod Haase he had a team that was good enough to compete, the da Silva injury hampered the team and now he’s going to have to look forward to getting some recruiting done in the off season.

Jerry Feitleberg did the Stanford Cardinal podcasts for the 2020-21 season and will return next Thursday on the Oakland A’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Jerry Feitelberg Thu Mar 11, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud