Stanford women’s basketball experienced its first defeat of the season on Friday, falling to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) 66-62 during the opening night of the Resorts World Classic in Las Vegas.
Nunu Agara led all players with 22 points and collected nine rebounds, marking her second consecutive game with over 20 points. Chloe Clardy contributed 16 points and matched her career high with five steals. Despite these efforts, Stanford was unable to overcome a double-digit deficit late in the third quarter.
FGCU built a lead as large as 13 points after Karina Gordon made three consecutive three-pointers and Maca Retamales added a layup, pushing the score to 52-39. Stanford responded with a 9-2 run to end the third quarter, narrowing the gap to six points heading into the final period. However, FGCU opened the fourth quarter by scoring five straight points, which slowed Stanford’s comeback attempt.
In the closing seconds, Clardy hit a three-pointer to bring Stanford within three points with seven seconds remaining. Gordon then made one of two free throws for FGCU, securing a two-possession lead and sealing the win for the Eagles.
Stanford entered the game ranked eighth nationally in field goal percentage defense but struggled defensively through much of the contest. FGCU shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter, improved to nearly 46 percent in the second, and reached almost 69 percent in the third before dropping off in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinal had recently posted their third-best shooting performance in program history against Lehigh but managed only 35.6 percent from the floor against FGCU—a season low.
Stanford will conclude its participation in the tournament by facing Colorado State tomorrow evening at 5 p.m.
