Stanford’s women’s basketball team suffered a shocking upset loss to Mississippi, marking the first time they have lost an NCAA game hosted since 2007. The loss ended their streak of 15 consecutive appearances in the Sweet Sixteen. Despite Cameron Brink’s heroic performance, scoring 20 points and seven blocked shots, Stanford’s struggles on two consecutive inbounds plays resulted in turnovers and forced fouls, leading to a five-point loss. Women’s basketball has changed significantly in the last 15 years, making upsets more likely, and talent running deeper. The Stanford players acknowledged the talent of their opponents and recognized that the defeat says a lot for women’s basketball. The loss will take some time to wear off, but the Stanford team can take pride in their achievements this season, with players like Brink, Jones, and Belibi ready to lead the team to success next season.
Stanford, one of the NCAA’s top women’s basketball teams, suffered an unexpected loss to Mississippi, ending their season with a 54-49 defeat. The game played out on Stanford’s home court, leaving the four Stanford seniors in shock as they had not anticipated such a loss. Although they were aware that the pandemic could bring an end to their season, losing on their home court was an unfamiliar experience. The fans in the stands were equally stunned, as they had not witnessed a loss like this in a long time. Stanford’s seniors, known as the “Funky Four,” had been confident of making it to the Final Four and winning the national championship. However, they felt that they did not play their best in this game.
Haley Jones, one of Stanford’s star players, expressed her shock and disappointment after the game, saying that the loss had left her in a state of disbelief. The team’s defeat is a stark reminder that nothing is guaranteed in sports, and every game counts. Stanford’s loss also highlights the unpredictability of March Madness, where even top teams can suffer upsets. Despite their early exit from the tournament, the Stanford women’s basketball team can take pride in their achievements this season and look forward to returning stronger next year.
The Stanford women’s basketball team entered the tournament feeling disrespected, but their recent struggles made them vulnerable. Coach Tara VanDerveer tried to balance resting her players with finding the right combinations in practice. However, the team’s offense struggled, with both Cameron Brink and Haley Jones feeling the need to do everything themselves. In the lead-up to the game against Mississippi, junior guard Agnes Emma-Nnopu emphasized the need for toughness, stating that they would not let anyone “punk” them.
Despite this attitude, Mississippi came into the game with confidence, unafraid of Stanford’s size, reputation, or home-court advantage. They played fearlessly, outrebounding Stanford and making more three-point shots. Stanford was uncharacteristically sloppy, committing 21 turnovers and struggling to score. At one point in the third quarter, they went over six minutes without a field goal. Mississippi was smaller but more physical, playing in the tough SEC conference against teams like South Carolina and Tennessee.
Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Mississippi’s coach, stated that her team wasn’t intimidated by Stanford, as they didn’t really know how historic the program was. They had previously taken top-ranked South Carolina to overtime and weren’t going to be scared of Stanford. Mississippi’s victory over Stanford showed that even the best teams can be vulnerable and that confidence and physicality can make a difference in the game.
Despite Cameron Brink’s heroic effort, scoring 20 points and igniting the crowd with seven blocked shots, Stanford women’s basketball team was unable to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Haley Jones acknowledged that they missed a lot of shots, but Brink’s performance gave them a chance to win the game. However, Stanford’s struggles on two consecutive inbounds plays led to turnovers and forced fouls, resulting in a five-point loss to Mississippi.
This loss is significant as it marks the first time that Stanford has lost an NCAA game that they hosted since 2007. The defeat also marks the first time since 2007 that Stanford failed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The women’s basketball landscape has changed significantly in the last 15 years, with talent running much deeper, making upsets more likely.
While the loss was undoubtedly disappointing for the Stanford team, they recognized the talent of their opponents, stating that it says a lot for women’s basketball to have an eighth seed like Ole Miss. The defeat will take some time to wear off, but the Stanford players can take pride in their achievements this season, with players like Brink, Jones, and Fran Belibi ready to lead the team to success next season.
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