On Saturday, for most of the game, the last-place Washington Huskies kept things interesting against the first-place Stanford Cardinal.
However, the Huskies’ usual late-game problems arose in the fourth quarter as Washington failed to score in the final three minutes, thus, helping Stanford secure a 63-56 victory.
After weathering a fast Stanford start in the first 4 minutes of the game, Washington responded with a 7-0 scoring run; and at the end of the first period, Washington led, 17-16.
Lauren Schwartz powered the Huskies’ first half offense by scoring 12 points on an impressive array of shots (she finished with 16 points).
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In the second quarter, the Huskies held on to a slim lead until Stanford demonstrated once again that UW cannot handle a full-court press, which sparked a 6-2 scoring run by the Cardinal.
But the truth is Stanford played a horrible first half, making only 13 of 40 shots (32.5% ).
Yet, the Cardinal were able to convert seven points from nine Washington first-half turnovers to stay in the game.
At halftime, however, the Huskies still held a slim lead over Stanford, 34-32.
Although the third quarter was (mostly) evenly contested, the Huskies relinquished their lead to Stanford 46-47 at the end of the third period– in part, due to five Husky turnovers in the third period.
4th Quarter Scoring Drought Costs UW The Game
In the fourth quarter, Washington shot 30.8%(4-13) from the field overall and 25.0% (1-4) from three-point range.
And with the game on the line, the Huskies ran out of gas once again.
Simply put, Washington didn’t score in the last three minutes of the game, while No. 2 Stanford rallied in the final minutes of the fourth period.
Stanford slowly righted itself in the fourth quarter by turning down three-pointers they had been taking all game to no avail.
By focusing it’s offensive efforts on 2-pointers, the Cardinal made 4 layups, one jumper in the paint and six free throws in the final period to close out the game with a comfortable victory, 63-56.
For the game, Washington finished with 19 turnovers which Stanford converted into 17 points.
NO BENCH AT STANFORD
Washington Head Coach Coach Langley played seven players 10 minutes or more against Stanford:
Lauren Schwartz played 35 minutes and 37 seconds;
Trinity Oliver played 33 minutes and 26 seconds;
Haley Van Dyke played 32 minutes and 48 seconds;
Missy Peterson played 29 minutes and 17 seconds;
Nancy Mulkey played 23 minutes and 23 seconds;
T.T. Watkins played 20 minutes and 26 seconds; and
Darcy Rees played 16 minutes and 37 seconds.
Notably, Jayda Noble only played 8 minutes and 26 seconds after playing 23 minutes in the win over California.
DAWGS OF THE GAME
Only 2 Washington players had a positive plus/minus rating while on the floor, i.e., TT Watkins (+4) and Darcy Rees (+8). They were the super subs that kept UW competitive and in the game with their contributions — e.g., TT had 7 points in the second half for UW.
In only 20 minutes, Watkins recorded 10 points (4 for 5 shooting overall, 2-2 from three-point range); 2 rebounds; 2 steals; and one block.
TT also had a team-leading 1.67 points per possession average; as well as, a 1.0 Assist/Turnover ratio and an Effective Field Goal Percentage of 100% — a percentage that takes into account the extra value of three-pointers made.
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Darcy Rees deserves mention for playing excellent post defense and giving Washington a physical presence on the court; as well as, contributing 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, one assist and one steal in only 16 minutes.
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