Stanford's Dominant Fourth Quarter Propels Them to Victory Over Oregon! The Cardinal women's basketball team showcased their grit and determination, securing a decisive 64-53 win against Oregon at the Invisalign Bay Area Women’s Classic held at Chase Center. This victory highlights Stanford's ability to perform under pressure, especially in crucial moments.
The game was a testament to Stanford's control, as they led for over 36 minutes. However, the Ducks briefly threatened early in the fourth quarter when Ari Long scored, bringing them within one point. But that's when Stanford's dominance truly began.
With just over eight minutes remaining, a pivotal moment occurred. Chloe Clardy's shot, rebounded by Long, led to a crucial play where Clardy completed a three-point play. This shifted the momentum decisively in Stanford's favor.
Oregon struggled to score for a significant stretch, with their next field goal not coming until the final minutes. Meanwhile, Courtney Ogden and Lara Somfai took charge, each contributing seven points in the fourth quarter. Ogden's impressive playmaking skills were on full display as she skillfully drew defenders, setting up Somfai for a game-sealing three-pointer. This pushed Stanford's lead to 12 points. The team's flawless performance in the final 90 seconds, with five consecutive successful shots, further solidified their victory.
This win marks a Quad 1 victory for the Cardinal, coming just two days after their triumph against No. 22 Washington.
Courtney Ogden, the reigning ACC Co-Player of the Week, was the star of the show, scoring a game-high 20 points, along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Her recent performance has been outstanding, averaging 15.0 points with an impressive 66 percent shooting accuracy in the last four games.
Lara Somfai also had a standout performance, achieving her fifth double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. This is the most double-doubles by a Stanford freshman since 2014-15.
Chloe Clardy contributed 11 points and a game-high 5 assists, while Hailee Swain added 10 points. Nunu Agara, returning from a one-game absence, secured 11 rebounds.
Stanford's next challenge is a nonconference finale against Cornell next Sunday at 1 p.m.
What do you think? Did Stanford's fourth-quarter dominance surprise you? Do you think this win sets a strong precedent for their upcoming games? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
