Pac-10 women’s tournament: Appel returns for Stanford, helps Cardinal to 72-52 win over Arizona

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Jayne Appel, who Stanford Coach Tara VanDerveer said was likely to miss today’s game against Arizona with a turned ankle, unexpectedly came off the bench and sparked the Cardinal to a 72-52win over the Wildcats.

The win advances top-seed Stanford to Saturday’s semifinal game of the State Farm Pac-10 women’s tournament where the Cardinal will face fourth-seed California at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time in the Galen Center.

Appel checked into the game with 13 minutes, 20 seconds in the second half, with Stanford leading Arizona 43-40. The Pac-10’s all-time leading rebounder, Appel drew a crowd inside and the Cardinal made an 8-0 run.

Arizona came back late, but the Cardinal, the nation’s No. 2-ranked team, eventually pulled away.

Pac-10 Player of the Year Nnemkadi Ogwumike led Stanford with 25 points and 10 rebounds on eight of 15 shooting from the floor. Appel had seven points and three rebounds. She checked out of the game with a few minutes left.

Arizona’s Ify Ibekwe led the Wildcats with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Stanford recorded 16 assists while Arizona had just four.

-- Baxter Holmes