Nov. 27, 1999
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Auburn coach Cliff Ellis knew Stanford's freshmenwere talented before the Tigers played them. The youngsters proved just howgood when they took over with the pressure on.
Freshman Curtis Borchardt hit a 3-pointer to snap a tie with 1:35 remainingand No. 9 Stanford hung on to beat second-ranked Auburn 67-58 Saturday in theWooden Classic.
Borchardt and freshman Jarron Collins combined for 13 of Stanford's final 15points. Borchardt led the Cardinal with 15 points and Jarron Collins added 13points as Stanford (5-0) beat a ranked opponent for the third time this month.Four of the Cardinal's games have been on the road.
"Sure, you're surprised to be 5-0 with the caliber of competition we'veplayed," Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said. "But as long as you defend andboard, you can win games."
No. 16 Duke played Southern California in the second game of thedoubleheader honoring Hall of Fame coach John Wooden at Anaheim Arena.
After Auburn's Doc Robinson tied the game at 56 on a 3-pointer, the6-foot-11 Borchardt answered with a 3 from the top of the key to give Stanfordthe lead for good.
"I missed one earlier in the second half and I told myself if I was open, Iwouldn't hesitate to shoot again," Borchardt said. "I don't think when Ishoot and that was the key."
Stanford's final eight points came from the free-throw line as the Tigers(2-1) repeatedly missed 3-point attempts and had to foul in the final 1:19.
"Our ability to stay with them on the boards was critical," Montgomerysaid. "Handling their pressure was critical. We did both very well."
The Cardinal was better on the boards, outrebounding Auburn 46-29, led byJason Collins, Jarron's twin brother, with 10. The Tigers shot just 30 percentfor the game.
"They annihilated us on the boards," Ellis said. "They took it to us inthe paint. That was the game. When we play games against physical teams, wehave to hold our ground. Stanford made some big shots."
Scott Pohlman led the Tigers with 21 points, including 10 straight whenAuburn regained control on a series of fouls that nearly cost Stanford thegame.
The Cardinal opened the second half with a 20-12 run to take its largestlead, 49-40, with 9:33 remaining.
Jason Collins, playing in just his 13th college game after two years ofinjuries, had six points in the spurt when Auburn's Chris Porter, MamadouN'diaye and Mack McGadney all picked up their fourth fouls.
Porter and N'Diaye came into the game averaging a combined 31 points, buttogether scored just 11 points. Daymeon Fishback, N'diaye and McGadneyeventually fouled out.
"It was very physical inside. I wasn't physical enough," Porter said. "Ihad open looks, but shots just wouldn't fall for me."
The momentum turned when Stanford's David Moseley knocked Pohlman to thefloor and was called for a flagrant foul. Pohlman made one of two free throwsin what would turn out to be a 10-0 scoring run for the junior.
Montgomery was whistled for a technical and Pohlman was fouled on a drive tothe basket.
"I made a stupid play," Montgomery said. "It was a turnaround, but thekids had enough guts and courage to come back."
Pohlman converted all four free throws, then hit a 3-pointer and anotherbasket to give Auburn its first lead since the start of the second half.Robinson added a basket to cap Auburn's run of 12 straight points for a 52-49lead with 6:37 remaining.
"He and Doc hit some big shots to give us a lift," Ellis said.
Robinson's 3-pointer gave Auburn its last lead with 2:35 remaining beforeStanford's freshmen dominated the final minute.