Cal and Stanford Women Face Tough Losses in ACC Basketball Play
The latest ACC women’s basketball matchups have really kept fans guessing. Cal and Stanford both squared off against tough North Carolina teams, and honestly, the games delivered plenty of drama.
Cal took on North Carolina, while Stanford faced North Carolina State. Both teams battled hard but came up short, exposing some strengths—and, yeah, a few glaring weaknesses too.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded and sift through the key moments that defined these games.
Cal Bears vs. North Carolina Tar Heels: A Battle in Chapel Hill
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Cal Bears fought hard but fell to the No. 16 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, 71-55. They’re now sitting at 9-6 overall and 0-2 in the ACC. The Bears actually looked sharp early, even holding a lead, but things slipped away as the game wore on.
Sakima Walker really carried Cal with 19 points. No one else on the team cracked double digits, though, and that’s a problem. Cal led by two at halftime, but by the end of the third quarter, they trailed 50-47.
The Tar Heels came out swinging in the fourth, opening with an 8-0 run that pretty much broke things open. Cal just couldn’t answer after that.
Key Moments and Challenges
Missing starting point guard Puff Morris due to a leg injury, Cal had to make adjustments. Still, they held North Carolina to just three 3-pointers—impressive, since the Tar Heels usually average over nine per game.
- Walker’s 19 points stood out, but she needed more help on offense.
- Cal’s defense showed flashes, especially when it came to limiting 3-pointers.
- Finishing shots and keeping up the energy, especially late, proved tough.
Coach Charmin Smith admitted the defense came and went, and North Carolina’s aggressive play forced mistakes. She pointed out that the Bears lost their spark, especially when the Tar Heels switched to a zone in the fourth quarter.
Stanford Cardinal vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack: A Tough Loss
Stanford ran into a wall against North Carolina State and lost 74-46. With a 12-3 record and 1-1 in the ACC, Stanford just couldn’t get their shots to fall, hitting only 30% from the field—their worst this season.
Nunu Agara and Courtney Ogden led Stanford with 16 and 12 points. The Cardinal started off fine, but momentum slipped away fast, and they couldn’t get it back.
Performance Highlights and Struggles
Stanford briefly took a 24-23 lead in the second quarter. NC State answered right away, and after that, Stanford couldn’t buy a bucket—missing 15 straight shots in the second half.
- Agara and Ogden were the only double-digit scorers for Stanford.
- Shooting just 30% really hurt their chances.
- Stanford’s defense held up in the first half, but things unraveled after halftime.
NC State coach Wes Moore praised his team’s defense, especially in the second half. Stanford’s Lara Samfai had a rough shooting night but still grabbed 16 rebounds, showing her value on the glass.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Cal and Stanford?
Both teams have flashes of potential, but consistency is still out of reach. For Cal, getting Puff Morris back could change the energy and maybe flip the script. Stanford, on the other hand, really needs to figure out their shooting woes and keep the defense locked in for all four quarters.
Cal Bears: Building on Positives
Cal did a solid job limiting North Carolina’s long-range shooting. If they keep up that defensive effort and find someone to help Walker out on offense, things could turn around.
- Work on finishing at the rim and keeping the energy up late.
- Get Puff Morris back in the mix for more playmaking.
- Keep building on those defensive bright spots.
Stanford Cardinal: Addressing Shooting Woes
Stanford really needs to boost their shooting efficiency. Agara and Ogden have shown some promise, but the team just can’t rely on them alone.
Other players have to step up if they’re going to avoid those frustrating scoring droughts, like what happened against NC State.
- Spend more time on shooting drills and tweaking offensive strategies.
- Keep that defensive intensity up from start to finish.
- Push for more balanced scoring—everybody’s got to chip in.
If both teams can shake off these recent losses, we might be in for some genuinely exciting basketball. Maybe Cal and Stanford can find their groove and really make a mark in the ACC, but hey, that’s easier said than done. For more details, check the San Francisco Chronicle.