In an electrifying showdown at Haas Pavilion, Cal orchestrated a thrilling comeback to edge past Santa Clara with a 72-68 victory, advancing to the second round of the WBIT. The Bears, now 20-14, were led by the unstoppable Lulu Twidale, who racked up 27 points and 11 rebounds, proving instrumental in dismantling the Broncos' 24-10 record.
The game took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter, thanks to Sakima Walker's pivotal role in a 13-2 run. With the clock ticking down, Walker's back-to-back layups narrowed Santa Clara's lead, slicing an eight-point deficit in half. Her relentless drive culminated in a crucial layup, marking her fourth consecutive successful field goal and putting Cal ahead 62-61 with just over three minutes remaining.
As the tension mounted, Twidale stepped up to seal the deal. Her clutch and-1 layup extended the Bears' lead to four points with just over a minute left. She then iced the game by sinking four critical free throws in the final 13 seconds, ensuring Cal's hard-fought victory.
Santa Clara had surged ahead in the third quarter, outscoring Cal 26-13, highlighted by Ashley Hawkins' impressive 3-point play. Hawkins and Ava Schmidt each contributed 18 points for the Broncos, while Delainey Miller chipped in 14, keeping the contest fiercely competitive.
Looking ahead, Cal is set to face Kansas State in the second round, with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Meanwhile, over at Maples Pavilion, Stanford managed to fend off a late surge from Loyola Marymount, securing an 89-76 win. The Cardinal, boasting a 20-13 record, had initially stormed to a 19-point lead, fueled by a 13-0 run. Despite the Lions clawing back to within a point in the fourth quarter, Stanford responded decisively with a 9-0 run to maintain their advantage.
Nunu Agara was the star of the night for Stanford, delivering a commanding performance with 26 points and 16 rebounds. She was well-supported by Courtney Ogden (19 points), Hailee Swain (18 points), and Chloe Clardy (14 points), as the quartet accounted for the majority of the Cardinal’s scoring.
Stanford is now set to host Quinnipiac in the second round at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
In another impressive display, USF cruised past Utah Valley with an emphatic 80-50 victory at War Memorial Gym. The Dons dominated from the outset, establishing a commanding 17-point lead by halftime and stifling the Wolverines’ offense, allowing just 11 points in each of the first two quarters.
Candy Edokpaigbe led the charge for USF, scoring 20 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting. Mara Neira also shone, contributing 15 points, all from beyond the arc. With eight players scoring at least five points, USF showcased their depth and versatility.
The Dons are now preparing for a second-round clash against Montana State, set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.