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Santa Clara Broncos travel to the Stanford Cardinal

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 8:26 GMT by Associated Press

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In a tightly contested showdown at the Maples Pavilion, the Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball team edged past the Santa Clara Broncos with a 69‑56 victory, a result that has implications for both teams’ postseason hopes and adds another chapter to the storied rivalry between the two Pac‑12 programs.

The game was played in front of a crowd of nearly 5,000, with the Cardinal taking an early advantage thanks to a strong offensive showing from freshman guard Maya Jackson, who finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jackson’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc helped Stanford build a 10‑point lead in the first half. She was complemented by senior forward Sarah Thompson, who posted a double‑double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the Cardinal’s frontcourt and keeping Santa Clara’s big men in check.

Santa Clara, led by junior guard Maya McKinnon, was a persistent threat throughout the game. McKinnon scored 21 points for the Broncos, including a crucial three‑pointer late in the second quarter that cut the Cardinal’s lead to just two points. The Broncos’ interior defense, however, struggled against Stanford’s inside presence. Thompson’s rebounding out‑matched Santa Clara’s effort, and her timely scoring in the paint helped keep the Cardinal in front.

A pivotal moment came late in the fourth quarter when Stanford’s head coach Tara VanDerveer called a timeout that seemed to shift momentum in favor of the Cardinals. Following the break, Stanford tightened its defense, forcing Santa Clara into a series of contested shots. The Cardinal’s point guard, Maya Jackson, was particularly effective, stealing the ball twice and converting fast‑break opportunities into points. In the final two minutes, the Broncos’ offense sputtered, and Stanford’s bench players, including sophomore forward Emily Lee and guard Jenna Patel, added crucial points to secure the win.

The victory has significant implications for both teams in the Pac‑12 standings. With this win, Stanford’s conference record improves to 12‑5, placing them in a tie for third place and ensuring a favorable seed should the Pac‑12 tournament take place. For Santa Clara, the loss leaves their record at 9‑8, a mark that keeps them on the bubble for postseason consideration. The win also boosts Stanford’s resume for the NCAA tournament selection committee, which often looks at conference performance and strength of schedule when assigning at‑large bids.

Tara VanDerveer, reflecting on the game, highlighted the team’s growth and resilience: “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but the guys played with confidence and didn’t let the pressure get to them. The way we executed on both ends of the floor shows how far we’ve come this season.” VanDerveer’s emphasis on defense was vindicated when Stanford held Santa Clara to just 53% shooting from the field.

The Santa Clara program, under head coach Scott Brooks, also provided insight into the team’s development. Brooks noted that while the loss was disappointing, the experience gained will serve the team well moving forward. “We went into that game knowing we had to play tough defense and stick to our game plan,” Brooks said. “We have to keep improving, especially on the offensive end, to be competitive against the top teams in the conference.”

Key statistical figures from the game include Stanford’s 56% field‑goal percentage, 7 turnovers, and 32 rebounds, while Santa Clara posted 48% shooting, 9 turnovers, and 27 rebounds. The Cardinals’ free‑throw line was a bright spot, converting 83% of attempts for a 9‑3 margin over Santa Clara. Santa Clara’s free‑throw shooting dipped to 68%, a statistic that the coaching staff will address in upcoming practices.

In the context of the larger college basketball landscape, the game came on the heels of several notable conference matchups. Stanford’s win keeps them in contention for a spot in the NCAA tournament’s “second four‑seed” bracket, while Santa Clara will need to secure a strong finish in the remaining regular‑season games to improve their postseason prospects. The result also underscores the competitiveness of the Pac‑12 women's basketball scene, which has seen multiple teams vying for the top spots in recent years.

Looking ahead, Stanford’s next game is scheduled against the UCLA Bruins on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion, a matchup that could further solidify their ranking and seeding. Santa Clara’s schedule features a road trip to the University of Arizona in the coming week, where they’ll face a strong offensive opponent and will need to tighten their defensive play.

Beyond the box score, the game offered fans memorable moments: a dramatic stretch in the third quarter where Stanford’s backcourt orchestrated a 12‑point run, a clutch steal by Maya Jackson in the final minute, and a late‑game block by Sarah Thompson that denied Santa Clara a chance to close the gap. These plays not only secured the win but also showcased the depth and talent of Stanford’s roster, a testament to the program’s ongoing development under VanDerveer’s leadership.

In conclusion, the 69‑56 victory for Stanford over Santa Clara’s women’s basketball team exemplifies the high level of play within the Pac‑12, underscores the importance of defensive resilience and offensive execution, and sets the stage for both programs as they navigate the final stretch of the season. With their eyes on the postseason, the Cardinal will look to build on this win, while the Broncos will regroup and aim to finish the season strong, ensuring that the rivalry remains a highlight of the conference’s basketball narrative.