Stanford women survive stiff test from last-place Washington

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SEATTLE — Brittany McPhee scored 25 points and No. 16 Stanford came away with an 86-79 win Friday night despite a stern test from last-place Washington.

Amber Melgoza poured in 40 points for Washington (7-21, 1-16 Pac-12). The 5-10 sophomore was 14-for-26 shooting and made five three-pointers in scoring the most points by a Pac-12 player this season.

Marta Sniezek’s three-point play with a minute and a half left gave Stanford a 10-point lead — matching its largest of the night — but Melgoza responded with a three-pointer and another bucket before the Cardinal made five free throws in the final 37 seconds to seal the win.

Melgoza got Washington off to a big start, making four three-pointers and scoring 18 points in the first quarter for a 26-18 lead. But McPhee brought Stanford back in the second period, scoring 13 points as the Cardinal took a 42-35 lead at halftime.

Both teams shot well from three-point range, Stanford making 12 of 29 (41 percent) and Washington 13 of 29 (45 percent). But the Cardinal outrebounded the Huskies 38-22, including 19 offensive boards that led to a 27-8 advantage on second-chance points.

Stanford (20-9, 14-3) is alone in second place behind No. 8 Oregon (15-2) and a game ahead of No. 12 Oregon State and No. 10 UCLA (both 13-4) with one regular-season game remaining.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback and local icon Russell Wilson attended the game — but he cheered for the visiting team. His younger sister Anna, a sophomore guard, plays for the Cardinal. She didn’t appear in the game.

Pac-12 standings