Stanford fights off Iowa State in OT in wild nightcap

The last game Sunday in the women’s NCAA Tournament had everything.

The game of her life by Kiki Iriafen and an equal effort by Emily Ryan. Two star players fouling out. Then the two clutchest plays Brooke Demetre has ever made.

Demetre made a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in overtime to give Stanford the lead for good, then sealed the win with two free throws. A year after losing in the second round as a No. 1 seed, second-seeded Stanford escaped this time with an 87-81 win over Iowa State.

Stanford also avoided being the second No. 2 seed of the day to lose, after Ohio State exited in the first game.

The Cardinal now will play either North Carolina State or Tennessee next weekend in the Portland 4 Regional.

Iriafen finished with a career-high 41 points, including going 9 of 9 at the freethrow line, and had 16 rebounds and four assists. And Stanford needed every bit of her monster effort, especially with Cameron Brink fouling out in the fourth quarter.

Iriafen also was key in shutting down Cyclones center Audi Crooks, who was held to 10 points two days after dropping 40 on Maryland.

But Stanford had no answer for Iowa State’s outside game. Ryan had a career-high 36 points and was 6 of 9 from 3-point range. Addy Brown added 15 points, including a 3 that gave Iowa State its last lead, with 31 seconds left.

Brown missed a layup on Iowa State’s next possession, and Demetre was hacked as she grabbed the rebound. She made the free throws, bringing an end to the most entertaining and wild game of the day.