Stanford rolls as five players score in double figures

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- No. 15 Stanford brought home a painful lesson from its loss to Tennessee last weekend, and the Cardinal wanted to return the favor against their local rival.

Kristen Newlin had 12 points and 16 rebounds in helping the Cardinal end a two-game losing streak with an 88-56 victory over Santa Clara on Wednesday night.

"Tennessee is the most aggressive team we've seen so far and we saw how it disrupted our offense," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. "We wanted to do that to other teams. The Number One thing we're lacking is defensive intensity and defensive pressure. I thought we did that."

Jillian Harmon added 16 points as the Cardinal (3-3) responded to consecutive losses to nationally ranked Tennessee and Georgia with their biggest win of the season.

"It was important to get some confidence back quickly by being fluid in our play," Harmon said.

Chandice Cronk scored 13 points to pace the Broncos (4-3), who won three of their previous four. Ashley Graham added 10.

"We gave them way too many opportunities, either off our turnovers or the offensive rebounds," Santa Clara coach Michelle Bento-Jackson said. "There's no question their size was a factor in offensive rebounds, especially in the first half. They were in the right place at the right time."

Stanford outrebounded the smaller Broncos by a 54-39 margin, including 22-10 on the offensive boards.

Newlin, one off her career high in rebounds, recorded her third double-double, and the ninth of her career. Michelle Harrison, Brooke Smith and Candice Wiggins each scored 13 points as Stanford had five players in double figures for the first time in nearly a year.

"It definitely helps getting stronger," Newlin said. "It's really just wanting it. Except when I'm shooting it, I always think the ball won't go in and I want the rebound."

Stanford, the six-time defending Pac-10 champion, improved to 26-4 in the series with its local rival, including the last four in succession. The Cardinal beat Santa Clara in the first round of last year's NCAA tournament.

Santa Clara was limited to 6-of-15 from long range, two coming in the final minute of play. The Broncos, who lead the West Coast Conference in scoring offense, were also held to their season low in points.

Stanford made a season-high eight 3-pointers on 24 attempts.

"That was our Number One priority defensively," VanDerveer said. "Who would have thought we'd make more 3's than they would? We knew we had to play good perimeter defense."

The Broncos closed to within 14 points before the Cardinal went on a 16-3 run midway through the second half to take a 68-41 advantage. Stanford continued to pull away the rest of the evening.

"We didn't make adjustments when they switched on us defensively," Cronk said. "I'm guessing we'll be working on that a lot."

Harrison reached double figures for the first time, scoring 10 of her points in the opening half.

Stanford recorded eight steals in the first seven minutes to grab a 22-8 lead, with 16 points coming off turnovers. Stanford had 33 points off turnovers for the contest, while Santa Clara scored nine.

The Cardinal led by as many as 19 points in the first half and took a 46-30 into the intermission.