Candice Wiggins had one more chance to be the one to lead her team to victory in this long running series. The senior All-American did just that, staying on the floor for the entire 45 minutes of regulation and overtime. Her effort helped the Cardinal to their first victory in twelve meetings, their last victory coming in 1996.

The No. 1 Lady Vols of Tennessee, on the road at Maples Pavilion, never trailed in the first half and led by as many as eleven.  They finished the half with a six point lead. The Lady Vols had disrupted the normally sure handed Stanford ball handling and forced uncharacteristic turnovers, 12 in the first half from a team who averages only 14 per game, 5th in the NCAA.

However, No. 5 Stanford closed the first half on a 5-0 run and continued in the second half, outscoring the Lady Vols 12-5 in the first 7:30 of the period. Many of their first half turnovers were on errant entry passes to the post. They were able to execute that play in the second half where sophomore Jayne Appel dominated on the inside for Stanford with 19 points and a game high 14 rebounds.

Stanford freshman Kayla Pedersen had an impressive game, most of the evening drawing the tough assignment of guarding National Player of the Year Candace Parker. Though Parker still posted a double-double, the freshman made the pass down low a difficulty for Tennessee too and played with poise when she was in foul trouble.

Tennessee freshman Angie Bjorklund, who averaged 11 ppg coming into the contest, was held scoreless and had foul trouble as did Alexis Hornbuckle and Nicky Anosike for the Lady Vols.

Wiggins, in true leader fashion, wanted the ball at the end of the game. She scored six points in 1:02 to bring the Cardinal from a two point deficit to a four point lead with 30 seconds to go in the game.

Candace Parker knocked down a jumper to cut the lead to two and Tennessee quickly fouled Wiggins once again with 16.9 seconds left on the clock. The foul was Anosike's fifth and sent the senior to the bench and Candice Wiggins to the line where she missed both shots. Parker made the rebound of Wiggins miss and nine seconds later tied the game sending it to overtime, tied at 63.

Rosalyn Gold-Onwude took charge for Stanford in overtime, scoring 9 of Stanford's 10 points in the period including two free throws with 5 seconds left, that gave the Cardinal a two possession lead at 69-73, the final score.

Quoted after the game Wiggins said, "It took four years, it's definitely nice to beat the No. 1 team in the country." 

Coach VanDerveer, on career win number 699 for her, quipped "I just want to say one thing, tonight Candice is spelled with an 'i.' "

This was a great game to watch, one of the best this year, and gave my otter friend an early Christmas present.

Up Next:  The Lady Vols will take on the DePaul Blue Demons on Wednesday, January 2 in Chicago.