Dec 14, 2002
STOCKTON, Calif. - Kelley Suminski scored 17 of her 22 points in the second half to lead No. 5 Stanford to a 67-56 comeback win over Pacific on Saturday.
The Cardinal (5-0), playing their first game in two weeks following final exams, used a 15-0 run late in the game to take control. They outscored the Tigers 26-7 over the final 7:50.
Chelsea Trotter added 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for Stanford, which struggled to score early. The Cardinal missed eight of their first 10 shots to fall behind against the aggressive and inspired Tigers.
Gillian d'Hondt led Pacific with 16 points and 16 rebounds, but she was the only Tiger to score in double figures.
Stanford scored eight straight points to tie the game at 49 with 6:34 left, and took the lead for good on a baseline jumper by Susan King at 6:07.
King also made a 3-pointer during the late run, and the redshirt sophomore finished with nine points.
King and Suminski started the game a combined 2-for-12 as the Cardinal shot 28.6 percent (10-for-35) in the first half to fall behind 28-25 at halftime.
Pacific (2-6) missed its own opportunities because of turnovers, but played its best game of the season. The Tigers committed 11 turnovers in the first half and finished with 17, five below its average.
Pacific built its biggest lead of nine points with 13:30 left on two free throws by Darlene Gibbard after Suminski was called for an intentional foul.
Then Stanford made its charge.
The Cardinal is still playing without its best player. Nicole Powell has not practiced or played, and it will be until at least after Christmas before she will be in uniform, coach Tara VanDerveer said.
Powell, a preseason All-America candidate, has a bulging disc in her back, which she hurt during the summer. She sat anxiously on the end of the bench, tapping her foot.
The Tigers have not beaten the Cardinal since an 84-75 win on Jan. 29, 1983, a streak of four straight wins by Stanford.