Hailee Swain led Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball with 22 points as the team secured a 66-55 road victory over the Santa Clara Broncos women’s basketball on November 8, 2026. This marked Swain’s fourth consecutive game scoring 20 or more points to start the season, a first for a Stanford player dating back to at least 2002-03.
The game remained tightly contested through three quarters, tied at 43-43 with under three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Stanford then executed an 8-0 run late in the third quarter, sparked by a three-pointer from Nora Ezike, a pull-up three from Shay Ijiwoye, and two free throws by Swain, taking a 51-43 lead into the fourth quarter.
Stanford extended the lead early in the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run, featuring back-to-back jumpers from Swain and a fastbreak layup by Alexandra Eschmeyer, pushing the lead to 57-45. Overall, the Cardinal outscored Santa Clara 14-2 over the final five and a half minutes of the third quarter and start of the fourth.
Ezike contributed 15 points and six rebounds while converting all 10 of her free throw attempts, tying a Stanford school record for free throw percentage on at least 10 attempts. Ijiwoye added 11 points, five rebounds and a career-high six assists, marking three consecutive games with five or more assists, a feat last accomplished by a Stanford player in 2024.
Additional contributors included Eschmeyer with eight points and eight rebounds and Inés Sotelo Míguez with six points, six rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals. Stanford limited turnovers to 13, well below their average of 22.3, and dominated in transition with an 18-4 edge in fast break points. Despite struggling in the second quarter shooting 3-of-16, Stanford led 33-31 at halftime.
Stanford improved to 3-1 on the season and will return home to face Gonzaga on November 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. PT, with the game broadcast on ACCNX.
CSB Take
Hailee Swain’s consistent scoring output provides Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball a reliable offensive foundation early in the season. The team’s ability to string together crucial runs late in games, combined with disciplined play minimizing turnovers, proved pivotal in securing this road win. Maintaining balanced scoring and defensive intensity will be key for Stanford’s success in the competitive Pac-12 Conference moving forward.
Source: Original report
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