Short-handed Cardinal compile first victory

Players and coaches gather around Tara during a time out.

Despite missing four key players for all or part of the game, the Stanford women’s basketball team notched the season’s first win, defeating UC Riverside 53-43 on Nov. 17 in Maples.

Senior guard Brittany McPhee, a regular starter, was in a boot. Sophomore forward Nadia Fingall, who regularly comes off the bench, was in street clothes, too.

Compounding the team’s difficulties, senior forward Kaylee Johnson and junior forward Alanna Smith were limited because of foul trouble.

Nevertheless, Kaylee started well, scoring the team’s first two baskets. She finished with 8 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes. Similarly, Alanna had 11 points and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. Her scoring may have been limited because nearly every time she got the ball near the basket, she was swarmed by defenders.

DiJonai drives to the basket against UCR defenders.

DiJonai leads team in minutes, points, rebounds

The undisputed star of the game was sophomore guard DiJonai Carrington. In the first start of her career, she played a team-high 31 minutes, scored 13 points and snared an impressive 22 rebounds.

Joining Kaylee, Alanna and DiJonai as starters were junior guards Marta Sniezek and Alexa Romano. They combined for 11 points and seven rebounds.

Victory notwithstanding, the stat sheet reveals some downsides: 19 turnovers, many on errant passes; and only three of 28 3’s for 10.7 percent. Overall shooting was only 29.7 percent.

On the other hand, the team garnered 59 rebounds to the Highlanders’ 44 and recorded an 11-8 advantage in assists. Marta had four of them.

11 players see action

By game’s end, head coach Tara VanDerveer had called on 11 of the 12 available players.

The evening started well with Steve Goodman, professor of medicine, singing the national anthem as written (something we don’t always hear) in his rich baritone.

And then there was the band to liven things up after being suspended for the latter part of last season. Although the university has placed it under an oversight committee, the students seemed as spirited as usual with many sporting zany attire.

Adding their support were the Tree, Dollies and cheerleaders.

After the Nov. 19 home game against Cal State Bakersfield, the Cardinal journey to Las Vegas for a tournament pitting them against Kent State on Thanksgiving followed by two more opponents TBD the next two days.

(Photos by Bob Drebin/ISIPhotos.com)