After Kobe Memorial, Sabrina Ionescu Makes History With NCAA Milestone
STANFORD (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu's strength inspired her Oregon coaches and teammates all day, from the way she courageously spoke at the memorial service for Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles earlier in the day, then flew back to the Bay Area and took the court shortly after vomiting in the locker room, all before leading the Ducks with yet another brilliant performance on both ends.
And doing something never done before in college basketball, by a man or a woman.
Ionescu became the first player in NCAA history to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds and notched her record 26th career triple-double, too, leading No. 3 Oregon past fourth-ranked Stanford 74-66 on Monday night.
Ionescu wasn't made available to the media for a second straight game, speaking to ESPN on Monday.
"That one was for him. To do it on 2-24-20 was huge," she told the network. "We talked about it in the preseason. I can't put it into words. He's looking down and proud of me and happy for this moment with my team."
Ionescu hit the milestone on a defensive rebound with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter and finished with 21 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds in her first triple-double against a top-10 opponent and eighth overall this season to help Oregon (26-2, 15-1 Pac-12) clinch at least a share of its third straight Pac-12 regular-season title.
"Incredible. I thought she was so poised and so heartfelt today," said coach Kelly Graves, whose wife Mary accompanied Ionescu. "At her age and relative limited experience and things like that, I just thought she nailed it. It was amazing, and she wrote that, and that was from her. She's pretty special in more ways that just what you're seeing on the court."
Ionescu also had a triple-double Friday night at California while playing near her East Bay hometown of Walnut Creek, then delivered her eighth career road triple-double for the Ducks on an emotional day just hours after attending the service for Bryant and daughter, Gianna, in Southern California.
"I don't know many people that could have done what she did today," Graves said. "... I knew this was the way it was going to end tonight for her. I'm glad that it ended in a victory but I knew that she was going to get that. It's so fitting that she did it tonight."
Hall of Fame Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer wasn't surprised by Ionescu's toughness despite her difficult day.
"She's a player. I didn't expect anything different than what we saw," VanDerveer said.
She now has 2,467, 1,041 assists and 1,003 rebounds, helping Oregon secure Monday at least 15 conference wins for a third consecutive season. Ionescu shot 9 for 19, missing her three 3-point attempts. She had plenty of help from Satou Sabally, who scored 27 points on 10-for-17 shooting with four 3-pointers.
"When she came back, we were there for her. It wasn't the easiest day but she always has our backs so it was our turn to have her back," Sabally said. "We just lifted her up."
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry sat on the baseline supporting Ionescu and women's basketball for the second straight game she played in Northern California after he was in Berkeley with his two daughters Friday night. He watched Oregon run its winning streak to 14 in a row and nine straight on the road.
"You kind of try and hide some of those emotions. To speak was such an honor for me," Ionescu said. "I tried to do everything I could to hold it together tonight and my team helped me do that."
The Ducks used a big second half to beat the Cardinal 87-55 on Jan. 16 in Eugene, then held off a late flurry by Stanford (24-4, 13-3) this time on a night Lexie Hull scored 27 points with six 3-pointers.
The Cardinal had their four-game winning streak snapped with just a second defeat at Maples Pavilion this season.
Oregon jumped out to a 25-10 lead then led 32-22 at halftime after four turnovers late in the second quarter allowed Stanford to stay close.
"I think they're the No. 1 team in the country. They have all the weapons," VanDerveer said. "They've got great experience. Kelly does a fantastic job with them in terms of they know what they're doing out there. They're a very well coached team, they're a very skilled team. I was disappointed that we honestly didn't give them a better game."
HONORING KOBE
Ionescu's left sneaker featured "Mamba Mentality" written on it along with "Forever 24" as well as a "24" on the back.
Curry also attended the service for Bryant and daughter, Gianna.
"I can't imagine how emotional it was for everyone in that arena. To be at her age with all that she's got going on and her connection to Kobe and Gigi and to give a speech in front of 19,000 people all mourning was unbelievable," Curry told ESPN. "She spoke so well. Now she's out here representing them playing her heart out.
"That's sustained greatness. She came back her senior year for a reason to get the national championship. She's blazing a trail no one has stepped foot in."
BIG PICTURE
Oregon: Oregon won its ninth game against a Top-25 opponent during the winning streak, sixth vs. a Top-10 teams and third when facing a top-five program. ... The Ducks are outscoring opponents by 24.8 points during the winning streak. They haven't lost since a road defeat at Arizona State in Tempe on Jan. 10. ... The Ducks are 11-1 on the road.
Stanford: Nadia Fingall had 12 rebounds as the Cardinal held a 36-34 advantage on the boards. ... Stanford dropped to 14-2 at home.
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