Jan 5, 2003
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - Stanford won without Nicole Powell, and the Cardinal is even better with her.
Powell, an All-American last year, scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as Stanford beat Pepperdine 91-58 Sunday for its fifth consecutive victory.
"Nicole brings a whole new dimension to the team that was missing before," said Stanford's Chelsea Trotter, who added 15 points. "She's a threat on the perimeter and the block, and she opens scoring opportunities for other players. Just her intensity and competitive spirit have added a lot. We're a better team with her back."
Kelley Suminski added 17 points for Stanford (10-1), which extended its home winning streak to 18, the fifth-longest run in the nation. Azella Perryman had 15.
"We're going to be good in a month and even better in two months," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. "With the adversity we've faced this year, it has toughened this team in a way no other preseason has."
Shanell Law scored 11 points for the Waves (8-5), who played at Stanford for the first time in 18 years. Pepperdine had its three-game winning streak stopped.
"Stanford executes so well and they're so skilled, especially inside," Pepperdine coach Mark Trakh said.
Powell, who missed the first nine games because of a bulging disc in her back, recorded her first double-double of the season and the 21st of her career. The 16 rebounds are her second-best effort to her school record of 21.
"I didn't shoot an airball this time so that's better," said Powell, who saw her first action of the season in Friday's 58-38 win over No. 19 Oklahoma. "I'm just trying to be more aggressive and crash the boards more."
Stanford made 41 of its 48 free-throw attempts, both school records. The Cardinal made 38 of 48 foul shots on Feb. 28, 1998, against Arizona.
Pepperdine was without leading scorer Shandrika Lee, who tore a knee ligament in a victory over Toledo on Dec. 29.
"We need to learn to play without her," Trakh said. "Every team has injuries. Stanford won without Powell and now they're even tougher with her."
The Cardinal opened the second half with a 15-4 run to lead 62-32 with 15:05 remaining. The Waves never got closer than 22 points the rest of the way.
Pepperdine closed within 24-21 on Damaris Hinojosa's jumper with 7:31 remaining in the first half but Stanford went on a 23-7 run - with Suminski scoring the first nine points - to take a 47-28 halftime lead.