Williams helps Cardinal extend win streak to 10
When Tennessee hit some early shots, Hall of Fame Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer used the first timeout to provide a defensive reminder:
“Tighten it up!”
Kiana Williams led the way on both ends, finishing with 19 points to surpass 1,000 for her career to go with seven assists as No. 1 Stanford beat No. 23 Tennessee 7851 at Maples Pavilion on Wednesday night to improve to 100.
Lexie Hull added 11 points and nine rebounds to help the Cardinal move a victory shy of the program’s best start since opening 110 in 201213. Freshman Francesca Belibi came off the bench to contribute seven points and three blocked shots before fouling out.
Rennia Davis scored 14 points to lead Tennessee (82), but shot 5for20.
The 27point win was Stanford’s largest margin of victory in the rivalry and Tennessee scored its fewest points in any game against the Cardinal.
“People are really working hard at both ends of the court and they’re encouraging each other, which I think is so special,” VanDerveer said.
Stanford, one of four Pac12 teams ranked in the top 10, played inyourface, swarming defense to stymie the Lady
Vols in the latest edition of a series that began in 1988 at Knoxville, Tenn., where, in 1990, the Cardinal earned their first of two national championships.
Belibi and Stanford’s other posts made things tough on Tennessee in the paint, driving for short jumpers and layups and plugging the middle on defense.
“We’ve got to take pride in our defense,” Williams said. “We have a lot of weapons on offense, so I think it comes down to getting stops on defense and making sure we’re executing our game plan.”