Wildcats Claw Past Cardinal in Fierce Showdown at Maples Pavilion
The Stanford Cardinal, ranked third, faced a challenging contest against the unranked Arizona Wildcats. The final score read 68-61 in favor of the visitors, with both teams now reflecting on their respective records of 3-1 for the Wildcats and 2-2 for the Cardinal.
In a game that saw four ties and only one lead change, the Stanford Cardinal showcased resilience and skill on their home court at Maples Pavilion. Despite an energetic start that put them ahead with a first-quarter score of 17-9, they couldn't maintain their momentum against a determined Wildcats side. The home team's shooting accuracy was notable as they achieved a field goal percentage of 49 and were particularly effective from two-point range with an impressive 58 percent success rate.
The Cardinal's defense was robust as evidenced by their six blocks over the course of play compared to just two from the Wildcats. However, it wasn't enough to stifle Arizona's offense which exploded in the fourth quarter adding an astonishing 31 points to seal their victory. This surge overshadowed Stanford's consistent scoring across all quarters.
Stanford also excelled in second-chance points with a total of 12 but struggled with turnovers, giving up possession on 18 occasions which translated into only half as many points off turnovers (12) than what Arizona capitalized on (16). The assist-to-turnover ratio told its own story; while both teams recorded thirteen assists each, Stanford had an unfavorable ratio of .76 due to higher turnover numbers.
On individual performance levels for Stanford Cardinal, there were moments that shone through despite not securing victory. Their free throw percentage stood at 61 percent but fell short when compared to Arizona’s more clinical rate of 71 percent from the line.
Looking ahead after this intense conference game witnessed by an attendance crowd numbering at four thousand four hundred twenty-three fans; supporters can look forward to another opportunity for redemption when Stanford hosts Arizona State Sun Devils at Maples Pavilion. This upcoming encounter is scheduled for February twenty-fifth at twelve o'clock PM Pacific Time and will be broadcasted live on Pac-12 Network for fans unable to attend in person.