Jan. 13, 2002
By RICK EYMER
Associated Press Writer
STANFORD, Calif. - Nicole Powell was just as surprised as anyone when she learned she broke the oldest school record.
Powell had 21 rebounds to go with 23 points as No. 4 Stanford defeated Oregon 91-76 on Sunday in a game between the Pac-10's top teams.
"I thought someone was joking," said the 6-2 sophomore. "That's a surprise to me. It's hard to say if I've played better. Every time I take the floor I want to get better than the last time."
Lauren St. Clair added a season-high 17 points and T'Nae Thiel had a career-high 19 as Stanford (16-1, 6-0 Pac-10) won its eighth in a row.
"We have a lot of amazing athletes and players on this team," said Thiel, who added eight rebounds. "I just go do what I can."
Edniesha Curry, in her third game back from a left foot injury, and Shaquala Williams each scored 19 points for Oregon (10-7, 5-3), which lost for the 15th consecutive time at Maples Pavilion. Catherine Kraayeveld had a career-high 14 rebounds.
Stanford has won five of its conference games by 10 points or more, and is outscoring Pac-10 teams by an average of 20 points.
Powell recorded her second straight double-double, the eighth of the season and the 15th in 47 career games at Stanford. She had 12 points and 11 rebounds by halftime.
"Nicole had a monster game," said Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. "She does so much for this team, not only rebounding and scoring. She can play with anyone."
Powell, as comfortable playing the point as she is the post, already ranks first in school history in career rebounds per game (8.89 entering Sunday's game) and averages a double-double this year.
"If Stanford was to win, we knew they had to rely on her," said Oregon coach Bev Smith. "She's a tremendous ball player."
The previous school rebounding record of 20 was last reached by Kathy Murphy on Jan. 6, 1978, against Division III Cal Poly Pomona.
Williams moved ahead of Jessica Schutt and into third place on the Ducks 3-point career list _ with 110 _ when she made her second long shot with 16:35 remaining in the game, tying the score at 51.
"It's great we played hard, but you don't want moral victories," said Williams. "You want to win. Moral victories don't mean anything."
Stanford and Oregon each recorded a season low for turnovers, combining for 15.
"We missed a lot of open shots," said VanDerveer. "We won this game by rebounding, taking care of the ball and defense."
Oregon led 56-54 with 14:25 left before Lindsey Yamasaki, who finished with 12 points, sparked a 12-0 run for the Cardinal with a 3-pointer. Sebnem Kimyacioglu had a 3-pointer and sank two free throws during the run.
"They have a lot of weapons and they can adjust," said Curry, who got her most playing time since coming back from her injury.
Oregon jumped to a 15-4 lead in the first four minutes on the strength of making four of its first five shots, while limiting the Cardinal to one basket in their first eight tries.
Curry made all five of her 3-point attempts in the half.
Stanford outscored the Ducks 13-7 over the final four minutes to take a 46-40 halftime lead.