By: Joe Lami

STANFORD, Calif.–

On Monday, it was the Stanford Cardinal that stormed the court, as they ended the longest winning streak in the country held by Connecticut at 47 games. On Thursday, it was the Texas Longhorns that did the storming, as they Stanford’s home winning streak at 28 games defeating them 87-81 in overtime.

Poor shooting is to blame for the loss, as Stanford had trouble all game, finishing just 36% from the field, and when it mattered most a dreadful 14% in overtime. The Cardinal’s problems also flooded into three-point territory as they finished the night 26% from beyond the arc. Taking way too many shots from beyond the arc as well, as they attempted 27. Stanford head coach, Tara VanDerveer, admitted it too “we took way too many perimeter shots”.

Texas, on the other hand, had no trouble scoring. They finished the night 49% from the field, and had four different players get into double digits. Nneka Enemkpali led the way with 18 points, Ariel Atkins added 16, including a perfect night from the charity strike. Kelsey Lang scored 14 and almost completed the double double, as she was just one rebound shy. Empress Davenport finished the night with 13 points.

“Texas was extremely motivated, they got the better of us,” said VanDerveer following the loss. The coach also added “Our team battled, but we didn’t have the pep in our step that we need. We didn’t play very well and still forced overtime”. It is also the first time in school history, where the Cardinal have played in back-to-back overtime games.

It was a back and forth affair, which saw seven different lead changes. However, Texas did dominate most of the night, as they led most of the way, with their biggest lead being ten. Stanford was down by nine with just over ten minutes to go, before they were able to turn it around and get the game close again. The Cardinal then went on a 7-0 run to make the game close once again.

The Cardinal gained the lead late in the game. However, Texas was able to tie it up with just one second remaining thanks to a drive by Davenport.

Thursday night was a major disappointment, especially after the win against the Huskies on Monday, but Lili Thompson views it as a learning experience “We definitely have things to work on. Even with beating UConn on Monday”.

Thompson led the way for the Cardinal for the third straight game, as she finished the night with 28 points. Amber Orrange was the only other Cardinal player to get into double figures, as she added 15 before fouling out in the 29 minutes that she played.

Thursday night saw a combined 51 fouls between the two squads. Three different players fouled out, two for Texas and one for Stanford. Seven other players got into foul trouble, with at least three fouls or more. Texas coach, Karen Aston, commented after the game “We’re an aggressive team, that’s our style. However, nobody wants that many fouls”.

For Texas, it is one of their biggest wins in school history, as it is the first time since February 1, 2009 where the Longhorns have defeated an AP Top 10 team. It also is the first time in the last six contest, where the Longhorns have come out on top of the Cardinal. “I’ve never experienced in four years, what I’m experiencing now,” commented Enemkpali.

The home winning streak is over at Maples at 28 games. The previous loss suffered on home court for the Cardinal was January 3rd of last year to the #7 Cal Bears 67-55. They look to start a new streak next month against the Santa Clara Broncos, but before they can do that they have to head off on the road. The Cardinal will travel to New Mexico to take on the Lobos on Monday before they’re off to Hawaii to participate in the Rainbow Wahine Shootout in Honolulu over Thanksgiving weekend. The Hawaiian trip consist of three games in three days, with the opponents being North Carolina, Hawaii and Prairie View A&M.