Gophers women fall to No. 2 Stanford in opener

Katie Ohm’s shooting cut the lead to single digits in the second half, but the Cardinal held on.

By JANIE McCAULEY, Associated Press

Last update: November 15, 2008 - 9:59 AM

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STANFORD, CALIF. — Tara VanDerveer appreciated this kind of physical test for her Stanford team to start the season. She knows opponents will be coming hard at the Cardinal from now through March.

Jayne Appel had 14 points, nine rebounds and five blocks and No. 2 Stanford earned a hard-fought 68-55 victory over the Gophers in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

"That's great for our team. That we didn't back down is a great statement," VanDerveer said. "That's how it's going to be in the NCAA tournament, in the Pac-10 tournament."

Kayla Pedersen, last season's Pacific-10 Freshman of the Year, had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Nnemkadi Ogwumike added 11 points in an impressive collegiate debut for the Cardinal. It was far from a stress-free opener for Stanford, coming off its NCAA runner-up finish to Tennessee last season.

"We played a very good Stanford team, one that had everyone but one player back form last’s year title game, and on their home court and we had our chances to pull out a win," Gophers coach Pam Borton said. "I liked our effort, especially in the second. We fought hard out there."

The Cardinal missed their first seven three-point tries before Rosalyn Gold-Onwude hit with 9:33 left. She made another key 3 from the baseline with 2:03 to play.

"It was a battle the whole night — inside, outside, running down the court," Appel said. "We were getting hit every time, hitting them every time. It showed part of our team colors that we toughed it out and came out with the win."

Katie Ohm scored 15 points and Zoe Harper 12 for the Gophers, picked by the Big Ten coaches and media to finish near the middle of the pack in the conference.

"We know we're a good team and we know we can play with Stanford," Ohm said. "We came in with our goal that we knew we could play with them and take it at them."

The pesky Gophers opened against a nationally ranked opponent for the first time, playing on an opponent's home floor to start the season for the first time since 1996.

Ohm's three-pointer with 16:27 to play cut the Cardinal's lead to 33-26, then she hit another from long range at 13:28 to get her team within six at 38-32.

Minnesota plays an aggressive, physical style that made things difficult for Stanford.

"This was a great first game for both of us to play a quality team," Borton said. "They made a lot of big plays down the stretch. Obviously Appel inside is a handful."

Sophomore Jeanette Pohlen earned her first career start as the Cardinal ushered in a new era without All-American Candice Wiggins, who won WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year honors following her rookie season with the Lynx. A decked-out Wiggins made an appearance at Maples Pavilion and sat courtside.

She received a rousing standing ovation during a first-half timeout and waved to the crowd in appreciation, then signed autographs and posed for pictures at halftime and after the game.

Even minus three-time Pac-10 Player of the Year Wiggins, VanDerveer has one of her deepest teams ever after Stanford won 35 games last season and reached its first Final Four since 1997.

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