Stanford Gets Past UCLA in Overtime

It was difficult to tell which team was ranked No. 6 nationally and which had just come limping home from a rough trip, but Stanford finally distinguished itself in overtime.

The Cardinal women needed the extra period to put away unranked UCLA, 78-71, in a Pacific 10 Conference game in front of 1,697 on Friday night at Pauley Pavilion.

“It’s hard because we could’ve won,” UCLA sophomore guard Nikki Blue said.

Blue equaled her season-high with 25 points, including 16 over the last 25 minutes, to lead an inspired effort by UCLA, which stayed with Stanford down the stretch in regulation but made only one of nine field-goal attempts in overtime.

The three-time defending conference-champion Cardinal was three for four from the field and made six of 10 free throws in overtime.

Nicole Powell, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, led the Cardinal with 27 points, including 15 in the second half and overtime. Her three-point basket from the left side of the key with Blue defending gave Stanford a 75-69 lead with 1:36 remaining in overtime.

“Great players make great shots,” UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier said of Powell, who played much of the second half with four fouls. “I think they’re a poised team. They have that experience and they’re confident that they’re going to get it done.”

UCLA (8-9, 3-5 Pac-10) challenged Stanford (15-2, 8-0) throughout. The Bruins, who entered with a 6-1 record at Pauley, showed no hangover from consecutive losses at Arizona State and Arizona.

The Bruins took an 11-4 advantage -- their largest of the game -- 5 1/2 minutes into play and led, 32-28, at halftime.

Stanford, however, capitalized on a UCLA scoreless stretch of more than three minutes to take its biggest lead, 46-36, with 14:10 to play in regulation, but the Cardinal couldn’t maintain the advantage.

Trailing, 64-63, after a three-point basket by Stanford’s Sebnem Kimyacioglu with 1:55 remaining in regulation, the Bruins took a 65-64 lead on a drive through the lane by Blue after teammate Whitney Jones rebounded a missed shot by Noelle Quinn (14 points). Stanford’s Kristen Newlin made one of two free throws with 1:06 left to force overtime.

Lauren Peterson

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No. 16 DePaul 93, Southern Mississippi 72 -- Khara Smith scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead the Blue Demons (17-1, 5-0 Conference USA) at Chicago.

Jenni Dant added 19 points, Charlene Smith had 17 and Jenna Rubino 16 for DePaul.

Michelle Poindexter scored 21 points to lead Southern Mississippi (13-4, 1-3). The only other Golden Eagle player to reach double figures was Lana Lewis, with 15 points.

Southern Mississippi made 42.6% of its shots, compared to 40.7% for DePaul. But the Blue Devils had 25 more shots and outrebounded the Golden Eagles, 58-34.

No. 21 Texas Christian 67, Louisville 42 -- Tiffany Evans scored 15 points, leading the Horned Frogs (14-3, 3-1 Conference USA) at Fort Worth.

Tracy Winn and Sandora Irvin added 10 points apiece for Texas Christian, which had a season-low 11 turnovers -- only one in the second half.

The Cardinals (10-8, 2-3) made only 25% of their shots in the first half and only 31.6% overall. Katie Olson had nine points and 11 rebounds.

Texas Christian led, 29-19, at halftime.

No. 25 Houston 60, Cincinnati 56 -- Chandi Jones had 23 points and made a key steal to help the Cougars (15-2, 4-0 Conference USA) win at Houston.

With Houston trailing, 56-55, Jones stole the ball and handed it to Sancho Lyttle, who made a layup to give the Cougars the lead with 41 seconds left.

Jones made a free throw with 23 seconds left, and teammate Nicole Oliver made two free throws with three seconds left for the final margin. Lyttle added 19 points and six rebounds for Houston.

Karen Twehues led the Bearcats (10-9, 1-4) with 20 points and seven rebounds.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.