Nov 21, 2003
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) - Nicole Powell's late-game heroics came in front of two WNBA coaches and helped No. 6 Stanford avoid an upset in its opener.
Powell, a preseason All-America selection, scored 20 of her 28 points in the second half as the Cardinal (1-0) rallied to beat unranked Pepperdine 69-61 Friday night.
Los Angeles Sparks coach Michael Cooper and Charlotte Sting assistant Fred Williams were in the crowd as Powell shot 10-for-20 from the field and finished with a game-high 12 rebounds.
But Powell did not start the game. She made her first appearance with 3:35 gone and demonstrated her shooting versatility, making shots from close range and from 3-point range.
"I had the same opportunities in the first half as I had in the second half," Powell said. "I just tried to attack more. I needed to take it to the rim."
Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer views Powell as more than a scoring threat.
"She's capable of playing any number of different positions," VanDerveer said. "She has ball-handling ability, can shoot inside, anticipates really well and rebounds."
Chelsea Trotter added 15 points and Sebnem Kimyacioglu scored 12 points for the Cardinal.
Shanell Law led the Waves (0-1) with 14 points.
Pepperdine rallied from a 27-25 halftime deficit by making its first five shots from the field in the second half to take a 36-32 lead. Kelli Spencer scored five of her 13 points in the rally.
But with the score tied at 41, Stanford used a 20-5 run to build a 61-46 lead. Powell powered the surge with nine points.
The Cardinal shot 58 percent in the second half. But after rallying to begin the second half, the Waves made only four baskets in the ensuing 13? minutes.