[stopandpop]

As expected, defensive battle and we're tied at the half. We're some sloppy passes away from having a solid lead. If there's one skill our whole team needs to work on, it's passing the ball inside. I think a lot of times when we play "pass around the perimeter" it'd because no one feels confident getting it inside.

All that said, we definitely benefited from have Sellers on the bench with two fouls for most of the first half.

We've seen this (passing around the perimeter) all season.  You are right about the look of 'no confidence', but I have to believe this is more of a Coach Paye issue rather than the players.  Frankly, I have no idea why Somfai (and when she's in), Eschmeyer even bother to post up, because 95% of the time they are not getting the ball.

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It's become very painful to watch Stanford's offense.  The Stanford players have to work so hard to find the (narrow) openings where they can drive or create enough space to shoot.  The lack of post presence and the lack of strong screening in this particular offense only adds to the challenge and yet the team found a way to win, just as they found a way to win against Cal.

Defense is clearly carrying Stanford at this point in the season.  The 10 steals are a partial reflection of that, but I also think the insertion of Shay Ijiwoye helped fuel a comeback when Washington seemed poised to put real distance from the Cardinal.  I also saw something encouraging from Swain.  She oftentimes starts fast and then fades as the game goes along.  Last night she started slow, but came on in the 3rd. and especially the 4th. quarter.  Similarly Ogden.  Somfai played a poor foul prone first half, but made her presence felt in both the 3rd. and 4th. quarters and became more aggressive; something Stanford needs if they are to stay in games with ACC opponents.  Those 3 or 4 'bunnies' she missed at the rim will be regularly falling by mid-January.  

And all this with Agara not playing.

I doubt we will see much of Eschmeyer playing any kind of significant role this season, which is extremely unfortunate because (without her), Stanford is a bit on the small side, Nunu (a fierce warrior) is too small to play post and MAS lacks size and athleticism.  Having said that, I am very encouraged by the fact that the players are fighting for each other and collectively, their overall defense is looking good.

A good win.

[stopandpop]

As expected, defensive battle and we're tied at the half. We're some sloppy passes away from having a solid lead. If there's one skill our whole team needs to work on, it's passing the ball inside. I think a lot of times when we play "pass around the perimeter" it'd because no one feels confident getting it inside.

All that said, we definitely benefited from have Sellers on the bench with two fouls for most of the first half.

We've seen this (passing around the perimeter) all season.  You are right about the look of 'no confidence', but I have to believe this is more of a Coach Paye issue rather than the players.  Frankly, I have no idea why Somfai (and when she's in), Eschmeyer even bother to post up, because 95% of the time they are not getting the ball.

---

It's become very painful to watch Stanford's offense.  The Stanford players have to work so hard to find the (narrow) openings where they can drive or create enough space to shoot.  The lack of post presence and the lack of strong screening in this particular offense only adds to the challenge and yet the team found a way to win, just as they found a way to win against Cal.

Defense is clearly carrying Stanford at this point in the season.  The 10 steals are a partial reflection of that, but I also think the insertion of Shay Ijiwoye helped fuel a comeback when Washington seemed poised to put real distance from the Cardinal.  I also saw something encouraging from Swain.  She oftentimes starts fast and then fades as the game goes along.  Last night she started slow, but came on in the 3rd. and especially the 4th. quarter.  Similarly Ogden.  Somfai played a poor foul prone first half, but made her presence felt in both the 3rd. and 4th. quarters and became more aggressive; something Stanford needs if they are to stay in games with ACC opponents.  Those 3 or 4 'bunnies' she missed at the rim will be regularly falling by mid-January.  

And all this with Agara not playing.

I doubt we will see much of Eschmeyer playing any kind of significant role this season, which is extremely unfortunate because (without her), Stanford is a bit on the small side, Nunu (a fierce warrior) is too small to play post and MAS lacks size and athleticism.  Having said that, I am very encouraged by the fact that the players are fighting for each other and collectively, their overall defense is looking good.

A good win.