Stanford Overcomes UC Davis 69-56 With Late Surge
STANFORD, Calif. — In a physical and tightly contested game, Stanford (4-0) defeated UC Davis 69-56 Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion, thanks to a late surge in the fourth quarter. Despite a solid start, Stanford found itself in a battle against a well-prepared UC Davis (1-2) team that managed to take the lead in the third quarter. Head coach Kate Paye acknowledged that the Aggies’ familiarity with Stanford’s offensive system made the game more challenging than expected.
“We knew this would be a challenging game,” Paye said. “[UC Davis is] very well-coached. They taught us the offense that we run, both teams running the same offense. And quite frankly, they ran their offense much better than we did. I thought they competed harder. Obviously, we’re very grateful to come out with a win.”
First Half: Stanford Builds a Slight Lead
In the first half, Stanford established an early lead but struggled to pull away. They ended the first quarter up 17-11 and went into halftime leading 29-21. Stanford’s defensive effort and rebounding allowed them to maintain control, but UC Davis’s disciplined defense held the Cardinal to 36.7% shooting in the first half.
“Every game is kind of like a different puzzle,” Paye explained. “[We were] trying to find the combinations of people who are going to be successful on the floor.”
Despite some offensive struggles, Stanford’s key players kept them ahead. Sophomore forwards Nunu Agara and Courtney Ogden were instrumental in maintaining the lead through their physicality and offensive presence.
Third Quarter: UC Davis Storms Back
UC Davis came out of the locker room energized and dominated the third quarter, outscoring Stanford 26-20. Their sharp shooting and efficient free-throw performance brought them back into the game, and they took a one-point lead, 47-46, with just 25 seconds left in the quarter. Senior forward Mazatlan Harris was crucial for UC Davis, hitting key shots and helping her team claw back into contention.
UC Davis shot 8-of-11 (73%) from the field in the third quarter, including 2-of-3 (67%) from three-point range. This marked a stark improvement from their earlier shooting struggles and allowed them to close the gap quickly.
Paye credited Agara and Ogden with turning the tide when the game was on the line.
“Nunu got us going, catching the ball in the pinch and ripping and driving, then Courtney got herself going, attacking the basket,” she said. Agara’s ability to attack and find open looks kept Stanford afloat as UC Davis made its push.
Fourth Quarter: Stanford Reasserts Control
In the final quarter, Stanford responded to UC Davis’s comeback with a dominant defensive and offensive performance, outscoring the Aggies 20-9 to secure the victory. They forced turnovers, limited UC Davis to only four made field goals, and capitalized on trips to the free-throw line. Agara continued her strong play, and Ogden added key baskets to put Stanford back in control.
Paye was encouraged by her team’s resilience, especially in the face of a physical battle and a tight score. “I kind of knew this was going to happen today. We know they’re a very good team, and I have tremendous confidence in our team. This will help us,” she said. “Obviously, I’ve been coaching for a long time, and we have great staff and great players. I was excited how we responded in the fourth quarter.”
Reflecting on the game’s lessons, Paye emphasized that not every game would be a blowout or a showcase of perfect shooting. “Not everything’s going to be a 30-point win or shooting 70% from three all the time,” she added.
Top Performers
Nunu Agara led Stanford with 25 points, shooting an impressive 9-of-15 from the field and adding ten rebounds for her first career double-double. Courtney Ogden also contributed significantly with a career-high 16 points, including two three-pointers. For UC Davis, Harris was the standout performer, scoring 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including three made three-pointers, while senior guard Sydney Burns added 10 points and four assists to keep the Aggies competitive.
In a game that demanded patience and strategic adjustments, Stanford’s grit and defensive effort ultimately secured the win. Though UC Davis pushed them to the limit, the Cardinal showed resilience, with Agara and Ogden leading the way in the clutch moments. The victory demonstrated Stanford’s ability to find answers when challenged, a skill that Paye noted would benefit them as the season progresses.
“[UC Davis] competed harder, and we’re very grateful to come out with a win,” Paye reflected. With this win, Stanford moves to 4-0 on the season, while UC Davis leaves with valuable lessons from a strong showing against a top opponent.
Next up
Stanford hits the road to play at Indiana on Nov. 17. UC Davis also has an away game on the same day at Montana State.
