1) I wasn't following the Cardboard during the game and I am glad. There were stretches in the first half where I was just as frustrated as some of the posters here, but I restrained myself. I've seen our team get off to a lot of slow starts this year and still pull it off. Is this a weakness? Sure is. But in the games we have lost it has not usually been because of a slow start. Somehow we have been able to overcome rotten first quarters--even first halves--several times. And we did again tonight.
2) Most impressive stat of the game: 25 assists on 29 made field goals. And mostly in the second half. We figured out the way to beat Oregon State's defense was the PASS. This is how Brink got 9 assists--she passed out of the mob in the paint.
3) Jump and Demetre were 6/9 from three point range, and this was critical to turning the momentum in the second half, not to mention the 18 points. Jump with 20 points dramatically broke out of her slump and saved the game for us.
4) All you Lepolo critics, note that her +/- was +12, second only to Brink. That is probably because of her fabulous defense on TVO who had 11 points, 2 turnovers, and an Oregon State worst +/- of -20. But I expect Lepolo will improve her mobility after the knee surgery in the off season.
5) Brink with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks, and (most importantly) 37 minutes on the floor.
6) Key stats: Oregon State shot 61% in 1st quarter, and was under 30% the rest of the game. Stanford shot 35% in the first half, and 55% in the second half. Lots of things happened to create those two reversals, but they are the story of the game.
7) Officiating: 9 free throw attempts, between the two teams, for the whole game. A typical Missy game, typified by Beers shoving Brink out of the way down to the ground, scoring, and trotting back on defense while Missy looked on.
I will open a new thread for the championship game tomorrow, once we know the opponent.
2) Most impressive stat of the game: 25 assists on 29 made field goals. And mostly in the second half. We figured out the way to beat Oregon State's defense was the PASS. This is how Brink got 9 assists--she passed out of the mob in the paint.
3) Jump and Demetre were 6/9 from three point range, and this was critical to turning the momentum in the second half, not to mention the 18 points. Jump with 20 points dramatically broke out of her slump and saved the game for us.
4) All you Lepolo critics, note that her +/- was +12, second only to Brink. That is probably because of her fabulous defense on TVO who had 11 points, 2 turnovers, and an Oregon State worst +/- of -20. But I expect Lepolo will improve her mobility after the knee surgery in the off season.
5) Brink with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks, and (most importantly) 37 minutes on the floor.
6) Key stats: Oregon State shot 61% in 1st quarter, and was under 30% the rest of the game. Stanford shot 35% in the first half, and 55% in the second half. Lots of things happened to create those two reversals, but they are the story of the game.
7) Officiating: 9 free throw attempts, between the two teams, for the whole game. A typical Missy game, typified by Beers shoving Brink out of the way down to the ground, scoring, and trotting back on defense while Missy looked on.
I will open a new thread for the championship game tomorrow, once we know the opponent.