No. 1 Cardinal keep rolling
Santa Cruz’s Jones scores team-high 18 points, leads Stanford past No. 11 Oregon at KP Arena
SANTA CRUZ >> Sophomore Haley Jones was her typical self — a major contributor — as the topranked Stanford women’s basketball team stormed past No. 11 Oregon, 70- 63, on Friday at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
Jones, a McDonald’s AllAmerican who lives in Santa Cruz and previously shined at San Jose’s Archbishop Mitty High, finished with a teamhigh 18 points and added six rebounds.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County, Stanford played its first home game in Santa Cruz. The Pac-12 Conference game was held without fans.
“Even though the game didn’t have any fans and her grandparents and parents were unable to see her live, I think there’s something in water, where she just knows she’s in Santa Cruz,” said Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer, the NCAA’s Division I leader in career wins. “She seemed very relaxed.”
The victory was a shot in the arm for the Cardinal (10- 0, 7- 0), who were without the services
of three key quarantining players: guards Lexie Hull and Hannah Jump as well as forward Alyssa Jerome.
Their absence was noticed for much of the first half as the Cardinal trailed by seven points, 28-21, midway through the second period.
Jones scored on three straight trips down the court — draining a driving floater, the first of two coast-to-coast layups, and a short jumper — to give the Cardinal a short-lived lead at 32-30.
Stanford caught fire in the third period, turning a 33-32 halftime deficit into a 60- 47 lead. The Cardinal pushed their lead to 17 points, 64- 47, after the defense collapsed on Jones driving into the paint. She spun off one defender and buried a short jumper for her team’s biggest lead.
“She’s a differenc emaker for us,” VanDerveer said.
The Ducks (8-2, 6-2) responded with a mini run; Sydney Parrish scored eight of her team-high 14 points over the next few minutes to get within nine points at 64-55.
While the Cardinal went to the free-throw line down the stretch — they finished 13 of 16 from the line — the Ducks responded with field goals, and got within five points, 66- 61, with 57 seconds left. Guard Kiana Williams made four freebies late and was 8 of 9 from the line overall to finish with 14 points for the Cardinal. Guard Anna Wilson added 11 points and nine rebounds.
“It was really nice to see other people step up today,” Jones said. “It really shows how deep we are.”
Centers Ashten Prechtel and Cameron Brink were also key for the Cardinal. They combined for 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
Forwards Nyara Sabally and Erin Boley each scored 10 points for the Ducks, who made 22 of 66 attempts from the field.
The Cardinal were 26of- 60 shooting (43 percent) and committed 17 turnovers to Oregon’s 12.
“We can get better,” VanDeerver said. “Was it a perfect game? No.”
Wilson was elated the Cardinal showed they could win without their Agame and minus three major contributors.
“That’s scary, honestly,” she said. “We were without three important people, too. They understand our team is playing for them. It was really great for our team. Moving forward, we know we can do it. I’m really proud of everyone.”