Jan. 15, 2000
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - Lauren St. Clair had career-highs of 25 points and nine rebounds to spark Stanford to one of the biggest comebacks in team history as the Cardinal overcame a 26-point deficit to upset No. 23 Oregon 78-62 Saturday.
Stanford moved to 10-4 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-10 Conference. The defending conference-champion Ducks fell to 2-1 and 11-4.
The 44-point turnaround was the largest in Stanford women's basketball history, when the team started competition in the AIAW in 1976.
"This was an unbelievable win for us," Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer said. "I've been coaching for a long time (20 years), and have never seen a game with that big a comeback or swing."
The Cardinal, which couldn't do anything right for most of the first half, missed 19 of their first 21 shots, made nine turnovers and trailed 36-10 with 4:15 left in the period.
But St. Clair hit a 3-pointer, was fouled and sank the free throw. Coach Tara VanDerveer had her team press, and Stanford was suddenly off to a 22-8 scoring run.
The press seemed to throw the Ducks completely out of rhythm, and the Cardinal took full advantage from there on.
In all, the 6-foot St. Clair hit 6-of-9 3-pointers, and guard Jamie Carey was 4-for-7 from 3-point range. St. Clair and Carey came into the week 1-2 in the Pac-10 in 3-point percentage.
Oregon, which got 16 points from Angelina Wolvert, led by 12 at halftime. But Stanford, still using the press, went on a 35-11 run and finally took the lead 50-49 with 13:26 left on St. Clair's 3-pointer.
Carolyn Moos scored 16 of her 20 points in the final 20 minutes. The 6-foot-6 center had six points during a key 9-0 scoring run that lengthened Stanford's 58-55 lead to 67-55 with 6:15 left.
Stanford, which has won seven of its last eight, next hosts California on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Maples Pavilion. The game will be telvised live by Bay TV.