Williams scores 21 in No. 7 Stanford’s 96-62 win over Dons
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — A flurry of 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter put No. 7 Stanford on the brink of another school record. Alanna Smith wasn't even aware of it.
Stanford made 15 3-pointers on the heels of a record matching 16 in a 115-71 victory over Idaho on Sunday.
"I think that just comes with us working hard and being confident shooters," Smith said after the Cardinal beat visiting San Francisco 96-62 on Thursday night. "If that means a record, all the better."
Smith scored nine of her 18 points in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter for the Cardinal (3-0), who improved to 15-4 against the Dons (1-1).
Kiana Williams scored 11 her 21 points in the third quarter and did not play in the final period with a sore ankle.
"There were some nice stretches when we made several shots in a row," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said.
Smith, who also had seven rebounds and blocked four shots, came out after hitting three consecutive 3-pointers. Maya Dodson added 10 points, four blocked shots and six assists with no turnovers.
"Even the guards would be jealous," VanDerveer said. "Maya may be the most improved player on the team. She's playing with a lot of confidence."
Freshman Julia Nielacna scored 15 points and had six rebounds to lead the Dons. Veronica Preciado added 11 points and Shannon Powell had 10 points and seven rebounds in three quarters. Abby Rathbun also scored 10.
"We appreciate the opportunity to come down here and play a top 10 team," Dons' coach Molly Goodenbour said. "To play in an environment like Stanford will help us. It's tough to see the score and it's to get pounded but it's all about getting our freshman ready to play college basketball."
Stanford took a 66-46 advantage into the final period and after hitting four 3-pointers, went up by 30 before the Cardinal cleared the bench.
"The key is to keep improving," VanDerveer said. "The way our depth manifests itself is in practice, where they keep each other accountable."
Powell, a 5-foot-6 guard, had a game-high six rebounds at the intermission. She had seven rebounds in the Dons' win over San Jose State on Friday. She led San Francisco in rebounding three times last year.
The Dons fell behind by 20 points after opening the contest making three of 18 shots and then made seven of 12 to pull within 43-31 by halftime. Stanford missed its last four shots of the second quarter.
TIP-INS
San Francisco: Dons third-year head coach Molly Goodenbour played on both of Stanford's national championship teams in 1990 and 1992 . . . First-year assistant coach Katy Steding was part of Stanford's first national title team, along with former Dons' coach Jennifer Azzi, and played on the 1996 U.S. Olympic team that won gold under Tara VanDerveer. . . . The Dons last beat Stanford on Dec. 9, 1983. ... San Francisco committed one turnover in the second quarter.
Stanford: The Cardinal won their first three games for the first time in three years. ... With her first basket of the night, Smith moved ahead of Goodenbour and into 37th place on Stanford's all-time scoring list. Steding ranks 12th. ... Stanford wore turquoise uniforms in honor of Native American Heritage month.
UP NEXT
San Francisco hosts Cal Poly on Sunday.
Stanford hosts Ohio State on Sunday.
