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

Whether or not it was the house courtroom 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 Large 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 sport is considered one of few lately the place Stanford entered the match because the underdog. “We wish groups to maintain sleeping on us,” stated senior ahead Cameron Brink. “Since my freshman yr we’ve at all times been top-5, so it’s enjoyable to hunt as an alternative of being hunted.” Stanford achieved its third-highest level whole in opposition to a top-10 staff 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, selecting up three offensive boards for second-chance layups.

“I feel I’m biased, however Kiki is unquestionably essentially the most improved participant within the nation from final yr to this yr,” Brink stated.

The Cardinal have 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.

General, Stanford’s offense was a well-oiled machine, with the staff 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 numerous layups and jumpers to maintain Stanford forward.

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

“The freshmen are usually not freshmen … I feel they’re simply taking part in nice,” stated coach Tara VanDerveer.

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

“This was a superb check for our staff and we handed it with flying colours … what I noticed on the market as we speak was unselfish basketball,” VanDerveer stated.

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

“I feel it’s unbelievable,” Iriafen stated about taking part in with Brink. “That is our first yr on the ground collectively on the identical time. I feel we simply steadiness one another out. We’ve nice vitality. We type of simply play off one another. We’re at all times searching for one another.”

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

Iriafen produced 20 factors and 11 boards, eight of which have 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 total school 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 folks so much, whether or not it was the twins [Lexie and Lacie Hull] or Hannah on the wing or different folks, however she’s simply going to benefit from her time,” VanDerveer stated. “She’s going to get higher and higher.”

Stanford’s bench was electrifying each on and off the courtroom. 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 dwelling earlier than heading to Nevada for a Thanksgiving event. Subsequent up is a match in opposition to Cal Poly (1-2, 0-0 Large Sky) on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.