Cardinal withstands Buffalo stampede

The Cardinal overwhelmed the Buffs with excellent defense and a barrage of 3-pointers in the first half. The Buffs made adjustments during the break and came back with a much greater defensive effort. They outscored the Cardinal in the second half and made things exciting in the last minute as they cut the margin to a single digit. The final score was Stanford 87, Colorado 77.

As expected, the game featured strong defense by both teams. It was an intense game, and many fouls were called on both sides, but it wasn't overly aggressive. (Karlie and Arielle Roberson did draw offsetting technical fouls, but it was for mouthing off, not for anything physical.)

The high scoring by the Buffs, who are known primarily for their defense, was a surprise. 77 is the most points scored against the Cardinal this season. (UConn got only 76.)

Karlie was the solo performer in the Cardinal orchestra today. She put on a great show beyond the arc. She sank five treys in the first half on eight attempts. She was perfect at the free throw line in her four attempts and finished with a career-high 19 points. She also had two rebounds, two steals and an assist.

The Cardinal sank a total of ten 3-pointers — by six different players, which may also be a record. There were Karlie's five and one each by Chiney, Lili, Sara, Amber and Taylor.

Chiney was, as always, the conductor. She got her 11th double-double and her eighth 30-point game of the season with 34 points and 16 rebounds. The scoring included the third trey of her career and a perfect nine at the free throw line. She now needs only nine points to pass Kate Starbird for third place on the Stanford career scoring list.

A highlight of today's performance came at the free throw line. The Cardinal made their first 17 free throws! and ended with 21 of 24 (87.5%)!! Chiney (with 9), Karlie (with 4) and Lili (with 4) were perfect.

It was a very even game except for the 3-pointers and the score. The Cardinal made one more field goal (28-27), two more free throws (21-19), five more rebounds (40-35) and one more assist (19-18). The Buffs had one less foul (24-25), three fewer turnovers (15-18), two more blocks (3-1) and three more steals (10-7).

Here are game reports and commentary:

• Ogwumike's big game leads No. 4 Stanford to 87-77 win over No. 17 Colorado, the Associated Press game recap
• Lappe's Buffs staying positive after two straight losses by Kyle Ringo (Boulder Daily Camera)
• Card secures victories over Pac-12 foes (Utah and No. 17 Colorado by Ashley Westhem (The Stanford Daily)
• Buffs Battle, But Cardinal Prevails In Pac-12 Win , the game recap from Colorado Athletics
• Stanford Checks Colorado Rally, the game recap from Stanford Athletics
• WBB: Stanford 87 Colorado 77 from the CARDboard
• In one day by Wally Mersereau, FBC traveller

The box score and play-by-play,

Stanford-Colorado postgame notes from Stanford Athletics

Game recap video from Pac-12 Networks,

Postgame interview video of Karlie from Pac-12 Networks,

A gallery of photos by Cliff Grassmick (Boulder Daily Camera), including this one of Mikaela ripping the ball away from the Buffs:

And a couple of photos by Brennan Linsley (Associated Press):

Amber on the move

Go Card!!