For the first time in 25 years, Stanford women’s basketball (3-0, 0-0 ACC) began a season unranked. Yet, the Cardinal has maintained an undefeated record at the newly renamed Tara VanDerveer Court. Riding the energy of a pregame ceremony celebrating the court’s dedication to the legendary retired coach, Stanford surged to a commanding 26-4 first-quarter lead and secured an 89-58 victory over Gonzaga on Sunday.
“This was a really special day, obviously, with the court naming ceremony,” said head coach Kate Paye. “And I think our team, our staff, knew that the best way we could honor Tara on a day like today was to play really well.”
Three-Point Dominance Continues
Stanford entered the game averaging 16 three-pointers per contest, ranking second nationally behind Stephen F. Austin State University’s 18. The Cardinal, however, leads the country in three-point shooting accuracy, converting an impressive 59% of their attempts. Against Gonzaga, Stanford drained 13 triples, with redshirt junior guard Jzaniya Harriel leading the charge with four.
The offense wasn’t limited to perimeter shooting. Sophomore forward Nunu Agara powered through the paint to score 16 points, while the team capitalized on frequent trips to the free-throw line, earning 16 points from foul shots. Sophomore guard Chloe Clardy praised the team’s versatility.
“We put in work to our shot. Not every game it’s going to fall, but we still have other things that we hang our hat on,” Clardy said. “We are going to play hard defense every game. We are going to play hard for each other.”
Defensive Excellence Fuels Win
Stanford’s defense was a standout factor, tallying five blocks and 10 steals that generated 16 points off turnovers. The defense was particularly stifling in the first and third quarters, holding Gonzaga to just 13 points combined.
VSunday’s win held special significance for the Cardinal, who sought redemption after last year’s 96-78 upset loss to Gonzaga—Stanford’s worst defeat in nearly four years.
“Obviously, we didn’t like what happened last year. We had a bad taste in our mouth and wanted to get our getback,” Clardy said. “It wasn’t an easy game, but we went out there, and we played hard for each other.”
Bench Unit Shines
Stanford’s depth played a pivotal role, with the bench contributing 41 points compared to Gonzaga’s 28. Sophomore forward Mary Ashley Stevenson, a Purdue transfer, added nine points and spoke about her seamless transition to Stanford.
“I absolutely love it. You know, it’s a scary thing getting in the transfer portal because you just kind of go, and you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Stevenson said. “But I could not be happier. I mean, between this coaching staff and the girls on this team, I feel right at home.”
A Historic Night for Tara VanDerveer Court
The renaming of Maples Pavilion’s court was a source of pride and inspiration for the Cardinal. Paye expressed her excitement for the team’s homecoming under the court’s new name.
“It was really cool right before the game started to hear the announcer saying, ‘For the first time ever, welcome to Tara VanDerveer Court at Maples Pavilion,’” Paye said. “It definitely gave me chills.”
Looking Ahead
Stanford will return to Tara VanDerveer Court on Wednesday to face UC Davis. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
