Stanford's Marta Sniezek (13) drives against Washington's Jenna Moser (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) - Brittany McPhee scored 25 points and No. 16 Stanford took an 86-79 win Friday night despite a career-high 40 points from Amber Melgoza and a stern test from last-place Washington.
Melgoza was 14-of-26 shooting and made a career-high five 3-pointers in scoring the most points by a Pac-12 Conference player this season.
Marta Sniezek's 3-point play with 1ˆ½ minutes left gave Stanford a 10-point lead - matching its largest of the night - but Melgoza answered with a 3-pointer and another bucket before the Cardinal made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 37 seconds to seal the win.
Melgoza got Washington (7-21, 1-16) off to big start, making four 3-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 with Stanford leading 42-35 at halftime.
Both teams shot well from 3-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) - with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in attendance to see his sister, Anna Wilson, a sophomore guard for the Cardinal - 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 game remaining.
Stanford's Brittany McPhee (12) drives past Washington's Alexis Griggsby during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. Stanford won 86-79. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press
Stanford's Brittany McPhee (12) shoots against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press
Washington's Hannah Johnson (1) defends against Stanford's Alanna Smith in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press
Stanford's Alanna Smith (11) pushes past Washington's Mai-Loni Henson to chase a loose ball as Dijonai Carrington (21) watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press
Stanford's Brittany McPhee (12) blocks Washington's Amber Melgoza from making a pass during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press
Stanford's Nadia Fingall, center, reaches for a rebound between Washington's Amber Melgoza, left, and Hannah Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press
Washington's Hannah Johnson (1) reaches for the ball in front of Stanford's Alanna Smith during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press
Washington's Amber Melgoza (4) shoots between Stanford's Dijonai Carrington (21) and Kaylee Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Associated Press