kwa JOANNE C. GERSTNER (New York Times)

A mwaka can definitely change many things, as Stanford’s Joslyn Tinkle can attest. She’s one of the important parts of Stanford’s 2012 Final Four team, serving as its main 3-point threat. The No. 1-seeded Cardinal (35-1) will play another juu seed, Baylor, on Sunday at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The winner advances to play the either Connecticut au Notre Dame, also both No. 1 seeds, for the N.C.A.A. title on Tuesday.

Tinkle’s valued playing status represents a radical change from last year’s Final Four trip to Indianapolis, where Tinkle spent a...

kwa AP

STANFORD, Calif. -- Only a few years ago, Joslyn Tinkle played a limited role behind former Stanford stars Jayne Appel and Nnemkadi Ogwumike. Even Tinkle couldn't have envisioned becoming a Stanford regular who is counted on each night on both ends of the floor.

Or becoming a 1,000-point scorer.

Tinkle reached the milestone early in the sekunde half, and Chiney Ogwumike had 19 points and 12 rebounds for No. 4 Stanford in a 90-53 victory over Oregon State on Friday night for its 11th straight victory.

"Coming into this year, I knew it was my time," Tinkle said. "Regardless of any situations,...