Williams sets Stanford record for 3s in victory

SAN ANTONIO » Kiana Williams became Stanford’s career leader in made 3-pointers with a big night at home in the women’s NCAA women’s tournament.

Not in California, but Texas, where this entire tournament is being played.

With her parents in the stands at the Alamodome in her hometown, and telling her teammates that she wants to play at home as long as possible, Williams scored 20 points with six 3s as the top-seeded Cardinal overwhelmed tourney firsttimer Utah Valley 87-44 in the opening round Sunday night.

“It’s great she had like 52 people here, she really got us going,” coach Tara VanDerveer said. “Our whole team shot the ball well, especially in the first half. I think

the best thing was we were able to rest people and no one got hurt. I thought we did a really good job.”

Stanford (26-2) never trailed after Williams hit a 3 for the first basket in the opening minute and tied the school mark of 295 held by Candice Wiggins.

Williams set the record with her second 3 midway through the first quarter to put the Cardinal up 18-3.

“She just challenged me to be a pesky defender, to get my defense going so I could get my offense going,” Williams said of Wiggins’ advice. “Haven’t really had a conversation with her about the 3-point record. It hasn’t really been at the top of my list. I just want to win.”

Lacie Hull added 12 points while 10 different players scored and 10 had rebounds for Pac-12 champion Stanford (26-2), the No. 1 overall seed for the first time since 1996. Up next in the Alamo Region is No. 8 seed Oklahoma State on Tuesday.

Josie Williams had

18

points to lead Utah Valley (13-7), the WAC runner-up in the regular season that lost its first conference tournament game, represented the league in the NCAA Tournament because undefeated California Baptist was ineligible to advance while still completing the transition from Division II to Division I.

“As far as my group, I couldn’t be more proud” second-year Utah Valley coach Dan Nielson said. “Dealing with COVID this year like everybody did and getting down here to the tournament is a massive accomplishment for us, even if we got here in an interesting way.”

Nielson called it a positive experience to “compete against one of the best, not just in the country, but probably the world. I mean that team can beat a lot of pro teams.”

The Cardinal led by as many as 43 points while shooting 55.9% overall (33 of 59), and 45.5% on 3-pointers (15 of 33).

Williams’ six were the most by a player since Bonnie Samuelson also hit six in the 2014 tourney against South Dakota.