Nov. 30, 2002
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - Kelley Suminski said Stanford played with a lot of confidence even without the services of its All-American guard.
Suminski scored a season-high 18 points as the seventh-ranked Cardinal held off No. 2 Kansas State 63-57 Saturday night to win the Stanford Invitational.
"We might have been the underdogs but we were ready for them," Suminski said. "We were confident going into that game."
Junior Nicole Powell, recovering from a bulging disc in her back, has yet to play for the Cardinal.
Sebnem Kimyacioglu and Susan King added 14 points apiece as Stanford (4-0) set a school record for 3-pointers attempted with 37. They made 12. The old mark was for 3-point tries was 34, set two years ago against Washington.
"Our preparation helped us," Kimyacioglu said. "Knowing what they were going to run helped our confidence. We took away some of their weapons."
Megan Mahoney scored a season-high 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Wildcats (5-1) failed in their attempt to win their second tournament of the season. Kendra Wecker added 18 points and Nicole Ohlde had 13.
"Rebounding was a big factor for us," Mahoney said. "They got a lot of putbacks. We didn't get out on their 3-point shooters and that was another breakdown."
Wecker has scored in double figures in 18 straight games dating to last season.
"We had a couple of defensive breakdowns and they were able to get good looks especially from 3-point range," Wecker said. "We allowed them to take control."
Stanford extended its home winning streak to 15 games and beat its highest ranked opponent since upsetting then-No. 1 Purdue on Nov. 22, 1998. Coach Tara VanDerveer recorded her 400th win at Stanford.
"I was proud of how our team stepped up," said VanDerveer. "Kansas State was a huge challenge and we dug in."
Freshman Krista Rappahahn sank four free throws in the final 43 seconds to clinch the victory.
Stanford missed its first seven shots of the second half, allowing Kansas State to grab a 33-29 edge within the first three minutes.
Wecker's 3-pointer gave the Wildcats a 37-33 lead with 15:13 remaining, but the Cardinal hit three consecutive 3-pointers to regain the momentum less than two minutes later.
Neither team could gain an advantage the rest of the way. The lead changed hands several times down the stretch until Kimyacioglu's 3-pointer with 1:47 remaining gave the Cardinal a 59-54 lead.
"We were beaten by a very competitive, tough-minded team," said Kansas State coach Deb Patterson. "They maximize the talent they have and play to their strengths."
The Wildcats held a four-point lead 13 minutes into the contest on 9-of-16 shooting (56 percent). Stanford shot 28 percent (5-for-18) over the same period but went on an 11-0 run sparked by consecutive 3-pointers from Suminski and King.
Despite shooting 33 percent for the half, the Cardinal took a 29-27 lead into the break.
Stanford Invitational All-Tournament Team
Co-Most Valuable Players --- Kelley Suminski (Stanford), Nicole Ohlde (Kansas State)
Sebnem Kimyacioglu (Stanford)
Azella Perryman (Stanford)
Megan Mahoney (Kansas State)
Kendra Wecker (Kansas State)
Stacey Smalls (Temple)