Feb 15, 2003
By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
Associated Press Writer
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State failed to put together even the shortest of winning streaks after ending a 45-game losing streak.
Led by Sebnem Kimyacioglu's 16 first-half points, No. 6 Stanford beat Washington State 84-41 Saturday, the Cardinal's 36th victory in 36 games between the schools.
Washington State was coming off a 67-64 upset of California, snapping the second-longest losing streak in Division I women's history. It was the Cougars' first victory since Nov. 29, 2001.
"Stanford's good," first-year Washington State coach Sherri Murrell said. "We knew they were going to come out strong and attack us."
Stanford (20-3, 12-2 Pacific 10) hit six 3-pointers - three by Kimyacioglu - in the opening 11 minutes to take a 30-11 lead. The Cardinal then held Washington State (1-22, 1-14) scoreless for more than six minutes.
The Cougars made only five field goals in the first half and shot just 24 percent for the game. Stanford outrebounded them 45-27 and forced 22 turnovers.
"A lot of our team success is based on rebounding and defense," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. "We worked all day yesterday on our defense."
Stanford was coming off a 92-68 loss at Washington on Thursday, its worst defeat of the season.
"We were coming off a disappointing loss at Washington. WSU was coming off a big win," VanDerveer said. "We knew we had to play well to win."
Jessica Perry led Washington State with 11 points. Leading scorer Bianca McCall was held to just three points.
Kelley Suminski scored 12 for Stanford and freshman Krista Rappahahn added a career-high 11.
Stanford made 7-of-13 3-pointers and shot 61 percent in the first half to take a 47-19 lead at the break. Kimyacioglu, a sophomore, made all six of her field-goals attempts, four from 3-point range. She did not attempt a shot in the second half.
Stanford relied mostly on its bench in the second half, but still managed to outscore the Cougars 37-22.
The Cardinal have reached 20 wins for the 14th time in the past 16 seasons under VanDerveer, and have won 33 of their past 35 conference games.
The 43-point rout of Washington State wasn't even Stanford's biggest margin of victory this season. Stanford beat Princeton by 56 in November. Washington State previously lost by 53 to Southern Cal.