Second-ranked Stanford took down No. 8 Arizona 75-69 on Sunday in a rematch of the NCAA title game.
Both teams shot over 45 percent, with each team making 28 field goals. Stanford was 9-for-19 from 3-point range while the Wildcats were 7-of-15. It was a close matchup, with each team trading blows. While Arizona outscored Stanford 22-7 in points off of turnovers, the Cardinal had 26 bench points to the Wildcats’ 17.
Sophomore Cameron Brink was the difference maker. She finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots for her seventh double-double of the season. Afterwards, head coach Tara VanDerveer called it “a great game.”
“Her best game is yet to come,” she added. “You haven’t seen it yet.”
.@cameronbrink22 had herself a day. 😤Brink’s huge double-double helped @StanfordWBB secure the 75-69 win over No. 8 Arizona. pic.twitter.com/qdegXVGGkr— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) January 31, 2022
.@cameronbrink22 had herself a day. 😤Brink’s huge double-double helped @StanfordWBB secure the 75-69 win over No. 8 Arizona. pic.twitter.com/qdegXVGGkr
Jana Van Gytenbeek had her best game of the season and was the only other Stanford player in double-digits, finishing with 18 points off the bench. Together, Brink and Van Gytenbeek amassed 43 of the Cardinal’s 75 points.
“She matched her points all season in one game,” VanDerveer said. “There’s a lot more coming. This game helped my confidence in her. Jana really made a statement [with] how hard she played, offensively, defensively, knocking down her shot, she stretches the defense. It was really exciting for her. We had the 1-2 punch, the inside and outside. I love it.”
Cate Reese led the charge for Arizona with 17 points and seven rebounds. Shaina Pellington added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Stanford next plays UCLA on Thursday while Arizona will look to rebound against a recently-ranked Oregon team that beat them in overtime on Jan. 15.