Feb 16, 2002
By RICK EYMER
Associated Press Writer
STANFORD, Calif. - With the Pac-10 Conference title already secured, Lindsey Yamasaki and her second-ranked Stanford teammates are looking ahead, though not too far ahead.
Yamasaki scored 18 points in her final home game as Stanford defeated Washington State 76-50 on Saturday for its 18th consecutive victory.
"Today was significant in a different way," Yamasaki said. "This symbolized the beginning of the end. We'll have nothing but farewells from now on."
Azella Perryman added a career-high 13 points and 16 rebounds for her second career double-double as the Cardinal (26-1, 16-0 Pac-10) improved to 34-0 against the Cougars.
"This was Senior Day and we already clinched the title, so I think we were a little out of rhythm," said Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. "The regular season was for a seed in the tournament. Now we'll play the tournament for a seed in the NCAA tournament."
Brittany Hawks led Washington State (2-24, 0-16) with 16 points and 10 rebounds for her 11th double-double. The Cougars lost their school-record 21st straight.
"Brittany has been a big key for us," Washington State coach Jenny Przekwas said. "She's been one of our most consistent players."
Washington State's last victory - Przekwas' 150th - came on Nov. 29.
The Cardinal's winning streak is the fifth-longest in school history. They clinched the Pac-10 title, their 11th, with a victory over Washington on Thursday.
Sebnem Kimyacioglu hit a 3-pointer early in the second half to give Stanford a 49-27 advantage and the Cougars never got any closer.
Washington State has lost 14 games by more than 20 points.
"They just took advantage in the size department," said Przekwas. "They're bigger than we are. That's a great team, and there's a reason they're No. 2 in the country and Pac-10 champs. You saw today they started five different people and they started well. It shows they have a heavy bench."
Stanford, attempting to go unbeaten in conference play for the first time in five years, used a 22-6 run to open an 18-point lead en route to a 42-25 halftime lead. The Cardinal were whistled for one foul in the first 20 minutes.
Nicole Powell, who recorded a triple-double against Washington on Thursday, was poked in the eye going for a loose ball with 3:38 left in the first half. She returned at 15:52 of the second half, but left for good four minutes later. She finished with 10 points.
"It was scary when Nicole went down, but that gave others a chance to play," said VanDerveer, who added Powell was fine.
Since Stanford started its five seniors, Powell, the Pac-10's leading rebounder, missed just her second start in two years. She entered the contest after three minutes.
The seniors - Yamasaki, Cori Enghusen, Enjoli Izidor, Bethany Donaphin and Lauren St. Clair - have a 55-15 four-year conference record with two games remaining.
"We have come a long way," said Yamasaki. "I feel like we're part of something special."
Washington State will try to avoid becoming the first team to go winless in the 16-year history of the Pac-10 when it plays host to Oregon and Oregon State in its final games.
Washington State will also compete in the inaugural Pac-10 tournament.