University of Missouri
Stanford
Missouri Drops To No. 2 Stanford, 71-55
12/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 18, 2004
Box Score
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Stanford's Candice Wiggins had a double victory on Saturday.
Wiggins had 12 points and five rebounds to help No. 2 Stanford beat Missouri 71-55. After the game, she learned the Stanford volleyball team, which she redshirted this season, won the NCAA volleyball title.
"I started tearing up," Wiggins said. "It's just so amazing, knowing these girls. I'm so happy for them."
Wiggins, Stanford's top scorer at 17.1 points per game, led the Cardinal with eight points at halftime. Brook Smith scored 16 points and dominated in the second half, shooting 6-for-8 for Stanford (8-0).
Kelley Suminski added 13 on her 22nd birthday.
Leading 29-21 after a sluggish first half, the Cardinal scored 15 of the first 21 points of the second half, including eight from Smith. A 16-2 run broke open the game and included four Stanford 3-pointers.
"At halftime, we talked about taking care of the ball," Wiggins said. "I think once we sort of controlled everything and we were able to get into our own flow, it just took off."
Megan Roney led Missouri (4-5) with 13 points. LaToya Bond, the Tigers' second-leading scorer (12.9), was held scoreless in the first half and finished with seven points.
The Cardinal used a fullcourt press to force Missouri out of an offensive rhythm and into 14 turnovers. Coach Tara VanDerveer said the trap, which Stanford has not used much in past years, allowed the Cardinal to take control in the second half.
"I thought we had a really good second half," VanDerveer said. "We got the tempo the way we wanted to, kind of pushing the ball in transition."
Missouri coach Cindy Stein, whose team faces national contenders in Big 12 play every season, called Stanford is one of the top teams.
"I think we're gonna see them in Indianapolis in the Final Four," Stein said.
Stanford made five of its first six 3-pointers in the second half and dominated the boards, 45-23. T'Nae Thiel led Stanford with 11 rebounds.
The Cardinal entered the game allowing 48.3 points per game, the third fewest in the country. Stanford limited the Tigers to 35-percent shooting.
