The reigning champion Stanford Cardinals had three good defensive quarters in their Sweet 16 win over the Maryland Terrapins. They built a lead as big as 26, but the Terrapins didn't waver and dominated the fourth quarter 30-13. The Cardinals were able to hold on for the 72-66 win.
Stanford was led by Lexie Hull's 19 points and nine rebounds. Haley Jones added 17 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Cameron Brink finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks.
Angel Reese led Maryland with 25 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Diamond Miller added 11 points, Chloe Bibby finished with 10 points and three rebounds. Shyanne Sellers chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Having played Maryland earlier this season, Lexie Hull and Haley Jones alluded to the familiarity helping in terms of the scouting report. While both teams were missing key players in the early season matchup, they had at least faced one another.
The Cardinals led the way with their defense and hot shooting in the opening quarter. Maryland settled down a bit as the game went on, but they never really got fully on track offensively until late. " I think they punched us first" said Maryland's Chloe Bibby following the game.
Neither team shot the three well, but the glass was a big factor in this game. Stanford won the battle on the glass 50-32. They rebounded as a group, from guards to bigs the hit the glass and it changed the game. Coach Frese talked about the length of Stanford following the game, said it did play a big factor in bothering her team on the offensive end. She also praised them for their execution on both ends of the floor.
Another area in which this game was decided was depth. Both teams had key players in foul trouble at times, each having to deal with it. Stanford handled it better as they were able to get more from their bench across different facets of the game. The Terrapins did outscore the Cardinal bench 16-14, but Stanford's bench outrebounded Maryland 15-5.
Coach VanDerveer alluded to that after the game, stating that "Depth is the reason we're standing here today." She also praised her team for moving their feet on the defensive end and their work on the glass. She was asked about the fourth quarter, she praised Maryland for their fight and called them a "great team" several times.
Maryland Basketball was played in the final period, that's when they were able to get stops and get out and run a bit. They put pressure on the Stanford defense, but there were a couple of plays in which they couldn't capitalize. It's tough for any team to climb out of a hole, let alone 26 down.
It wasn't the way Maryland wanted to end the season, but in a year in which they faced so much adversity it was only right they went out fighting until the end. In back to back years their seasons ended in the Sweet 16, we'll see what their fortune is come this time next year.
Both Diamond Miller and Angel Reese were asked about what this outcome means as they head into the offseason and prepare for next year. " I think It's just humbling" said Reese. She also talked about the work she plans to put in to round out and improve her game. Citing times when defenders sagged off her a bit to give her the jump shot, said she wasn't fully confident in it yet, but plans to change that in advance of next season. Miller said they have to "continue to grind, we gotta be read to start grinding again."
Stanford will face Texas on Sunday in the Elite Eight.
Thoughts/Takeaways
Big Three - Frese said that Owusu was dealing with a stomach bug, even though she did play, thats the reason she appeared a bit sluggish. Miller had some moments when she seemed to get on track, but foul trouble kept her from playing more than 19 minutes. Reese had a big game, she stayed on the floor the longest of the three and had the biggest impact. Their work this offseason and their health next season will be key, we never got to see those three consistently as a group this year.
Resolve - This was a very mentally tough team and should be given credit for it. They dealt with a lot this season and never gave up. This is a mentality that must continue on to next season and I don't see any reason as to why it won't.
Sellers - For the final time this year, just want to give her credit for the year that she had. She came in her freshman year as a bad defender and ended this season as one of her team's best. Her growth was a bit accelerated this season because of circumstance, the litany of injuries this team had led to her getting big minutes. Just like their three upperclassmen(they all will be next year) that were mentioned above, Shyanne's offseason is just as important. She was a key cog in the machine this season, there's no reason not to expect her role and responsibilities to grow.
PHOTO CREDIT: Maryland Womens Basketball/@TerpsWBB