The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Swain Scores 22 as Stanford Pulls Away From Santa Clara, 66-55
By Megan McCarthy
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Stanford used a decisive late-third-quarter run to create separation and held on for a 66-55 victory over Santa Clara at Leavey Center, extending Hailee Swain’s season-opening streak of 20-point performances to four games.
Swain led Stanford with 22 points. Nora Ezike added 15 points and six rebounds, going 10-for-10 at the free-throw line to tie the school record for free-throw percentage. Shay Ijiwoye finished with 11 points, five rebounds and a career-high six assists.
Stanford led 33-31 at halftime, but Santa Clara stayed within reach into the third quarter. With 2:57 remaining in the period, the teams were tied at 43, leaving the game poised for a decisive stretch.
The Cardinal supplied it. Ezike started the surge with a 3-pointer, Ijiwoye followed with another from beyond the arc, and Swain added two free throws to give Stanford a 51-43 lead.
The run continued across the quarter break, growing to 14-2 over 5:29 and pushing the Cardinal ahead 57-45. That stretch turned a tied game into a 12-point Stanford advantage and gave the visitors control heading into the final period. Stanford carried that momentum into the fourth.
Stanford also held a significant edge in transition, outscoring Santa Clara 18-4 in fastbreak points. The Cardinal’s scoring balance complemented Swain’s continued production and Ezike’s perfect night at the line. That advantage, combined with the late run, helped Stanford maintain its lead and finish with an 11-point victory.
Sophie Glancey led Santa Clara with 17 points. The Broncos, who entered the game 3-0, took their first loss of the season and moved to 3-1. Stanford improved to 3-1.
The game marked Stanford’s first appearance at Santa Clara since 2012. The Cardinal left Leavey Center with an 11-point win after using the late third-quarter surge to break open a contest that had remained close through much of the first three periods.
Megan McCarthy
Women’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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