Dec. 29, 1999
By ROB GLOSTER
AP Sports Writer
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - Stanford still is undefeated. And now it has MarkMadsen back on the court.
Madsen, the Cardinal's only returning starter from last season, made hiscomeback after missing eight games because of a strained right hamstring as No.1 Stanford beat New Hampshire 119-60 Wednesday night in the opener of theStanford Invitational.
It was the most points scored by Stanford since a 129-108 victory over Yalein 1985-86, and the second-largest victory margin in school history. Stanfordtied a school record with 15 3-pointers.
Madsen made an emphatic return, blocking a shot in his first few seconds onthe court and then making a layup at the other end. He had eight points, eightrebounds, two assists and two blocks in 21 minutes.
"I was definitely a little bit rusty. The biggest thing is getting mytiming back," Madsen said. "I've got to relearn how to dodge those hands inthe middle."
The Cardinal (10-0) hardly needed Madsen against a New Hampshire (1-8) teamthat fell behind by 40 points in the first half and by 62 midway through thesecond period.
Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said Madsen should be much more in sync bythe time Pac-10 play starts in early January.
"Frankly, he wasn't very good tonight. His timing was off. But when youmiss as much time as he has, that's going to happen," Montgomery said. "Markwasn't Mark tonight. He's a dominant player and he'll be getting better eachtime out."
Casey Jacobsen had 26 points and Jarron Collins added 19 for Stanford, whichseemed to be conducting a layup drill at times.
Colin Donahue had 15 points for New Hampshire, a school known more for icehockey than basketball prowess.
"They sure looked like No. 1 to me," New Hampshire coach Phil Rowe said."And we were unlucky this was the night Madsen came back, because that gavethem even more motivation."
It tied the worst loss of the season for the Wildcats, who have lost sixstraight. New Hampshire lost 131-72 at Florida in late November.
The Wildcats opened the game with full-court defensive pressure, butcommitted seven fouls in the opening 2 1/2 minutes and fell behind 10-2.
Madsen, who had not played since he was injured late in the season openeragainst Duke at the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament at Madison Square Garden inNew York, entered to loud cheers 5:42 into the game.
He had four points, two rebounds and two assists in eight minutes in thefirst half and Stanford increased its lead to 62-22 with 2:52 left beforehalftime on a layup by Collins. The crowd chanted "Down by For-ty" at thebeleaguered Wildcats.
"I was just happy I made a couple of plays quick," Madsen said of hisblock and layup. "This has been just really special to be a part of the team,part of the undefeated season. I'm just happy to be back and contributing alittle bit."
Jacobsen had 15 points and Collins had 13 as Stanford took a 65-30 halftimelead.