Cardinal out-shoots the Buffs 84-70

This game started close, with both teams hitting threes seemingly at will: The first quarter saw eight three-point shots made in all, four for each team. The Cardinal's threes were by Karlie (two), Bird, and Marta. Marta's shot was especially encouraging; she caught the ball and fired the three in a single motion.

Stanford was hampered by making six turnovers in the quarter, which ended with the Buffs ahead, 20-23.

The game remained close through the second quarter, with Stanford again hampered by five more turnovers, so the first half ended with the host Buffaloes up by a point, 41-42.

This quarter also featured three-point shooting, with six made in all; Stanford had two of them, both by Dijonai. At the half, each team had scored three-point shots by four different players apiece.

Once again the Cardinal broke open a close game in the third quarter, this time largely on the efforts of Karlie and Brittany. In the quarter Brittany scorched the Buffs with five layups and a three-point shot, for thirteen points plus three rebounds, a steal, and an assist to Karlie for one of her three, three-point makes. At the buzzer Stanford was ahead 69-60.

Early in the third quarter, Marta suffered a frightening injury. In a scramble for a rebound she fell, and then a Colorado player fell on her, dropping directly on her head and driving her face into the floor. She left the game bleeding from a cut over her right eye and retreated to the locker room for a few stitches, but returned to play, apparently unfazed, near the end of the game.

The teams played about even throughout the fourth quarter, Colorado never closing the gap to less than nine points.

Karlie led the Cardinal with 20 points, having hit five of seven three-point attempts and five of five free throws -- and playing 38 minutes.

Brittany had eighteen points, having hit seven of eight layups and one of three long shots to go with five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block.

Bird had twelve points on 50% shooting. Alanna and Kaylee each had eight points.

It was a great balanced performance — six Cardinal players hit three-point shots (Karlie (5), DiJonai (2), Brittany, Bird, Bri and Marta (1 apiece)), eight of the nine who played scored at least five points, and five led the rebounding with five apiece (Karlie, Brittany, Bird, Kaylee and Marta).

The team should feel fairly confident flying back for a home stand against the Arizonas.

Here are game reports and commentary:

• Samuelson, McPhee lead No. 13 Stanford women past Colorado, the Associated Press game recap
• Stanford women's basketball uses balanced 3rd quarter performance in win over Colorado, the Pac-12 game recap video
• Cardinal Overpowers Buffs In Second Half For 84-70 Pac-12 Win, the Colorado Athletics game recap (includes some Tara quotes)
• Two Take Over in Third, the Stanford Athletics game recap
• Loss to No. 13 Stanford encouraging for CU Buffs women's basketball by Brian Howell (Boulder Daily Camera)
• WBB: Stanford 84 Colorado 70 from the CARDboard

The game statistics,

A gallery of photos from Boulder Daily Camera,

And a video interview of Karlie

Some of the Boulder Daily Camera photos feature the Cardinal defense: