By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports Writer
STANFORD — Cameron Brink has evolved into a smart and imposing shot-blocker in both the paint and on the perimeter, going straight up and with one hand to avoid picking up fouls.
On Friday night, she became Stanford’s career leader in blocked shots with six more and scored 12 points, including a key putback with 1:04 left, and the third-ranked Cardinal beat 25th-ranked USC, 50-47, to avenge a loss from earlier this season and take sole possession of the Pac-12 lead.
Brink began the night needing two blocks to break Jayne Appel’s mark of 273 set from 2006-2010, then swatted away a layup by Kadi Sissoko at the 5:25 mark of the second for the record. Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, a close family friend, and his daughter, Riley – alongside San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance – sat on the baseline cheering for her. Brink has 278 career blocks and already held the single-season program record, moving her total to 99. She also grabbed 10 rebounds.
Afterward, Brink hinted she will return for her final collegiate season, much to the delight of coach Tara VanDerveer: “I think why you go to Stanford is to stay for four years and get your degree,” Brink said.
Okako Adika’s jumper with 1:41 remaining pulled the Trojans (19-7 overall, 9-6 Pac-12) to within 48-45 but Brink answered after a miss by Jones. Destiny Littleton scored 15 points but missed a corner 3-point attempt while being pressured just before the final buzzer trying to send the game into overtime.
Haley Jones added eight points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the “Pink Game” as both programs wore pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. Stanford (25-3, 13-2) bounced back after having its 14-game winning streak stopped by the Trojans in a 55-46 loss on Jan. 15 at the Galen Center.
The Cardinal are alone atop the Pac-12 after No. 4 Utah’s 82-72 loss at 18th-ranked Arizona earlier Friday.
“We want to be in first place. Every game for…
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