March 02, 2017

Pac-12 Tournament: First Round

#8 California 71, #9 USC 58

Christine Anigwe personally powered Cal to this win, overcoming the disadvantage of Cal's 19 turnovers and USC's 11 steals by putting up 34 points, just under half of Cal's total. She scored in every possible way, with 9 of10 free throws, 12 of 19 field goals, even making one of two three-point shots, as well as 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Here are game reports:

The game highlights

And the game statistics.

#5 Arizona State 72, #12 Utah 54

The Sun Devils outplayed the Utes throughout this game. They took an early lead with an 8-2 run in the first two minutes and led the rest of the way. Besides a better shooting percentage (41.8% vs 31.7%) ASU out-rebounded Utah 45-29.

This game featured one of the more unusual turnovers we've ever seen. An ASU player (Sara Hattis) went to inbound the ball from the end-zone. She raised the ball in both hands behind her head, but when she brought her hands forward to pass the ball, somehow the ball didn't come along, and ended up on the floor behind her. "Ball is out of bounds off ASU, Utah ball."

Here are game reports:

The game highlights

And the game statistics.

#7 Washington State 79, #10 Colorado 78

This was an entertaining and exciting game that was carefully observed by Kate and Tempie. The outcome was only settled in the final seconds. The Buffs left everything they had on the floor but in the end could not quite snatch the upset victory.

In the first quarter, Colorado pressed on every WSU possession, and the pressure was effective, causing turnovers and getting steals. June Daugherty had to call time twice and even so, the quarter ended with Colorado up 13-25.

In the second, WSU began to find their poise and, for no obvious reason, Colorado stopped pressing. The Cougs hit a three, got a steal and a layup to tie the score; then got another three and another steal to complete a 10-0 run and take the lead. The half ended on a Cougar three-point shot, WSU 37-33.

In the third quarter it became evident that Kennedy Leonard, Colorado's offensive/defensive sparkplug, was not at 100%. For one thing, she wasn't scoring. Then she had a collision and lay on the floor for several seconds, and left the game, but only briefly. The quarter ended with WSU up seven, 65-58.

The Cougar lead stayed around seven for most of the fourth quarter but Colorado, who had resumed the up-court pressure defense, whittled away at the lead, so that with less than ten seconds left, and after two WSU free throws, the score was 79-76.

Kennedy Leonard drove, made a basket (only her third of the game) and was fouled. She lay on the floor for a while, attended by the trainer, but re-entered the game. For reasons that we do not understand, Monica Burich went to the line instead of Kennedy, to shoot one free throw that could tie the game -- and missed it. There was a scrum for the rebound. The refs conferred, and awarded the ball to Colorado, so the Buffs had one more chance at a win, but their shot hit the rim and was rebounded by WSU as time expired.

Here are game reports:

The game highlights

And the game statistics.

#6 Oregon 70, #11 Arizona 63

Oregon hasn't been to NCAAs for 12 years. Charlie Creme's final bracket had them as a #9 seed but they needed a quality win here if they are to look good to the NCAA selection committee.

Well, they got the win, but it did not show great quality. After taking a quick lead on a pair of threes from Sabrina Ionescu, the Ducks slowed down. Arizona mounted a pressing defense, not as fierce as Colorado's in the previous game, but enough to apparently bother Oregon. At the half, the Wildcats led by two and held a lead through the third quarter.

Oregon finally retook a lead with 6:45 to play in the game and managed to hold it the rest of the way. In tomorrow's closing game the Ducks will step into Kelsey Plum's meatgrinder offense. If they don't come up strong then, they can probably start planning on an NIT berth at best.

Here are game reports:

The game highlights

And the game statistics.

Finis

No upsets today, so the quarterfinal games tomorrow are:

#1 Oregon State vs #8 Cal USC at 11:30 am
#4 UCLA vs #5 Arizona State at 2:00 pm
#2 Stanford vs #7 Washington State at 6:00 pm
#3 Washington vs #6 Oregon at 8:30 pm

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