Stanford FBC: Stories of the Season: Cardinal zagged at home

November 18, 2016

Cardinal zagged at home

The Gonzaga Bulldogs came into Maples 0-7 against Stanford, but they rode a combined 44 points from Jill Barta and Elle Tinkle to what for them was a historic first victory.

"If someone had to steal a win in Maples, I'm glad it was her."

The game was mostly close: the Zags were ahead by one, 15-16, after the first quarter; and at the half they were still ahead by one, 27-28.

The game seemed to take a decisive turn in the opening of the second half, when Barta and Tinkle combined for fifteen points in three minutes, forcing Tara to call time at 6:16 with the Cardinal trailing by 10, 33-43. But, following the timeout, Stanford put on a defensive clinic that held the Zags to only one point in the next four minutes, while the Cardinal slowly climbed back into the game to take a lead of 46-44. This quarter that had started so badly ended with Stanford ahead 51-46.

Gonzaga closed that gap in the fourth quarter, and with 0:27 were again up by one, 63-64. The Cardinal did the usual last-minute fouling but were unable to score on any possession, and the Zags sealed the game with free-throws, 63-68.

Brittany had another excellent outing with 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a block.

Bird had her first double-double of the season — 17 points and eleven rebounds.

Karlie had ten points , three assists and three steals, and showed her usual intense defense.

Bri was a fierce defender and dished six assists. She shot only 2-8, but one of her two hits was a morale-boosting three-point shot that answered one by Gonzaga.