Cardinal Fall in Season-Opener to No. 18 Arkansas
Carolyn Moos scores game-high 22 points in 76-71 setback.
November 13, 1998
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Wendi Willits scored five points in the final 1:37, including a go-ahead 3-pointer as No. 18 Arkansas held off 19th-ranked Stanford 76-71 in a Four in the Fall tournament opener Friday night.
Karyn Karlin's 20 points led the Razorbacks and gave Gary Blair his 100th victory in six years as coach.
Treva Christensen added 13 points, Sytia Messer had 10 and Willits finished with nine.
Stanford, rebuilding after losing five seniors to the professional ranks, was led by Carolyn Moos' 22 points and 12 rebounds. Lindsey Yamasaki added 16 points and Bethany Donaphin had 10.
Arkansas, with nine players back from last season's Final Four team, advanced to Saturday's championship round against No. 3 Connecticut, which routed fourth-ranked Duke 104-74 earlier Friday. Duke and Stanford will meet in a consolation game.
Trailing by five at halftime, Stanford pulled to 54-53 when Moos connected on a left-handed hook and came back on the next possession to hit two free throws.
Christensen answered with a 3-pointer, starting a 7-0 burst that rebuilt the Lady'Backs lead to 61-53 with 7:59 remaining.
Again, Stanford rallied, pulling to 68-66 when Moos drove for a layup and then tying it when she made two free throws with 1:53 remaining.
But Willits hit an open 3-pointer to put Arkansas back on top to stay and added two free throws.
Stanford got to 74-71 on Donaphin's three-point play with 22 seconds left.
Arkansas' Tennille Adams missed two free throws with 19 seconds left, giving Stanford a last chance to tie but Milena Flores missed from 3-point range and the Lady'Backs then rebounded the ball with Christensen going downcourt for a layup.
The Lady'Backs broke on top 31-18 but Stanford got three straight 3-pointers from Yamasaki during a 15-7 burst over the final 3:49, pulling the Cardinal to 38-33 at the half.
By DENNIS GEORGATOS
AP Sports Writer