Women's College Hoops | No. 2 Stanford overcomes slow start to beat Utah

STANFORD, Calif. — Nnemkadi Ogwumike called the halftime talk inspirational. Kayla Pedersen said the team simply decided to play harder. Somehow, with its senior All-American center dealing with the flu, No. 2 Stanford found a way to get a decisive victory.

Pedersen scored 18 points and had 12 rebounds in leading the Cardinal to a 60-41 victory over Utah on Friday.

"We knew we were better than that," Pedersen said of a 24-point first half. "We decided to kick it into gear. When things aren't going your way, you have to do the little things and stick with it."

Ogwumike had 17 points and Jeanette Pohlen added 11 for the Cardinal (5-0), which won its 31st consecutive home game despite being held to its lowest point total since scoring 58 in a victory over California in February.

Ailing Stanford standout Jayne Appel, who received two IV bags before the game, was limited to two points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.

"I think some people were getting discouraged because the shots were not falling in the beginning," Ogwumike said. "I was trying to figure what I could do to contribute. [Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer] inspired us and pushed us in the halftime. She told me to go in there strong and that definitely helped."

The Utes (1-3) fell to 0-3 on the road.

"We're a work in progress," Utah coach Elaine Elliott said of a roster that includes nine freshmen and sophomores. "We're going to get better as the season goes on."

After making 1 of 10 three-pointers in the second half of Sunday's win at UC Davis, the Cardinal was 2 of 17 in the first half against Utah.

"This was not a game I'm excited about," VanDerveer said. "I thought we took too many threes and we were not being patient."

Other Pac-10 games

No. 17 Arizona St. 65,

at Hawaii 53

Kali Bennett scored 15 points and had 15 rebounds to lead the Sun Devils (3-1) to victory over the Rainbow Wahine (1-3) in the Rainbow Wahine Classic.

Danielle Orsillo added 15 points for Arizona State.

The Sun Devils controlled the boards, outrebounding Hawaii 46-33.

USC 61, No. 13 Texas 54

Briana Gilbreath scored 13 points to lead four players in double figures and help the Women of Troy (2-3) knock off the Longhorns (3-2) in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

At Oregon 117,

Cal State Fullerton 69

Taylor Lilley scored a game-high 22 points as the Paul Westhead-coached Ducks (4-0) routed the Titans (2-2).

The only time Oregon has scored more points was in a 121-40 victory over Hawaii in 1979.

Oregon's Amanda Johnson had 13 points and 16 rebounds, her third consecutive double-double.

Oregon St. 76, Belmont 52

Talisa Rhea scored 25 points to help the Beavers (3-1) beat Belmont (3-1) in the NAU Thanksgiving Tournament in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Arizona 65, at San Diego 55

Soana Lucet scored 22 points on 10-for-17 shooting as the Wildcats (4-1) defeated the Toreros (3-3).

Other Top 5 games

At No. 1 Connecticut 91, Hofstra 46

Maya Moore scored 23 points to lead the Huskies (4-0) past Hofstra (3-1), which made 32 turnovers.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma got his 700th career victory. The coach of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team has 122 losses. Auriemma, in his 25th year, has guided UConn to six national titles and three perfect seasons. The Huskies have won 43 in a row.

No. 5 Notre Dame 78,

South Carolina 55

Melissa Lechlitner scored 15 points to lead four players in double figures, and the Fighting Irish (5-0) defeated the Gamecocks (2-3) in the Paradise Jam.

Ashley Barlow scored 14 points for Notre Dame. Skylar Diggins contributed 12 points and Becca Bruszewski had 11.

Valeria Nainima led South Carolina with 15 points.

"I loved the second-half defense," Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said.