Stanford guard Briana Roberson (10) drives past Prairie View A&M Shaneece Stephens during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia) (The Associated Press)
HONOLULU – Tara VanDerveer likes how Stanford rebounded from a tough start to the weekend.
Erica McCall had 13 points and nine rebounds as No. 5 Stanford routed Prairie View A&M 88-45 Sunday, the final day of the Rainbow Wahine Shootout.
Lili Thompson and Briana Roberson had 12 points apiece and Amber Orrange added 11 points for the Cardinal (5-2), who rebounded from a tough 16-point loss to 11th-ranked North Carolina on Friday with two wins in two days.
"We played against a great team in North Carolina and we did not play good enough. I wish we could've played in the reverse order but I really feel the tournament has been very helpful," said VanDerveer, who is in her 29th season as Stanford's coach. "We played against excellent competition and I think people have really improved a lot. I'm really excited. I think our team has really grown."
Prairie View A&M opened a 6-4 lead in the opening minutes before Stanford turned it on, going on a 23-0 run and never looking back.
The Cardinal led by as many as 45 points following Erica Payne's 3-pointer from the left corner with 8:20 left in the game.
Stanford shot 54.5 percent from the field, including 11 of 18 on 3-pointers, and made 17 of 21 from the free throw line. It was the second consecutive game that it shot above 50 percent from the field and over 60 percent on 3-pointers.
Karlie Samuelson knocked down 3 of 6 3-point attempts to chip in nine points and Kaylee Johnson added eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals for the Cardinal.
Stanford's bench outscored Prairie View A&M's, 39 to 19. All 14 players that suited up for Stanford played at least four minutes and 13 of them scored at least two points.
"I've been learning a lot by watching Amber and Lili and how they really have been attacking the defenses," said Roberson, who had a career high for points despite playing just 18 minutes.
Prairie View shot just 13.3 percent from the field in the first half and 24.6 percent for the game.
The outsized Lady Panthers struggled against Stanford's height in the post. They were out rebounded 47-28 and were outscored 14-8 on second-chance points.
"The height difference was huge," said McCall a 6-foot-3 sophomore forward. "I think it was easier for our bigs to dominate, get a lot of boards and really dominate in the paint."
Jeanette Jackson led the Lady Panthers (0-6) with 12 points.
Prairie View went scoreless in the final 4:51 of the first half and trailed Stanford 52-18 at halftime.
TIP-INS
Stanford: After a 70-54 loss to 11th-ranked North Carolina Friday, the Cardinal rebounded with a pair of double-digit wins. They beat tournament-host Hawaii Saturday, 86-73.
Prairie View A&M: The winless Lady Panthers are in familiar territory having started last season with an 0-10 non-conference mark, but rebounded with an 11-7 mark in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and won the SWAC Tournament to qualify for their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament.
REST ASSURED
The rout allowed Stanford's reserves to see extended playing time, but also gave the starting five an opportunity rest their legs in the second half. "Getting everyone in today was real important. I thought everyone that went in contributed and they practiced hard and I'm glad to be able to put them into the game," VanDerveer said.
TESTED
Prairie View A&M has now played three ranked opponents in its last four games. The Lady Panthers lost to No. 7 Texas A&M 59-41 on Monday and dropped an 81-45 decision to No. 11 North Carolina Saturday. They will also travel to play 13th-ranked Baylor on Dec. 29.
UP NEXT
Stanford: Hosts Santa Clara on Dec. 14.
Prairie View: Hosts Schreiner Wednesday.
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