A Game-Changing Performance by Lulu Twidale

Lulu Twidale, a junior guard from Australia, had an incredible turnaround in Cal’s game against Stanford on Sunday at Haas Pavilion. In the first three games of the season, she struggled with her shooting, going 1-for-22 from beyond the arc. However, she showed her resilience and skill in this crucial match.

With 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the Bears trailing 62-61, Cal set up a play for Twidale. She missed her initial shot but then made a critical three-pointer with 27 seconds remaining to give Cal the lead. The game eventually went into overtime, and Twidale took control in the extra period. She hit a three to open the scoring, and Cal did not trail in overtime. Twidale scored 10 of her game-high 24 points in the extra period as Cal secured a 78-71 victory.

Twidale has been struggling from beyond the arc this season, with several games where she was 1-for-9, 1-for-6, and even 1-for-5 twice. However, she had a strong performance in the previous week, hitting 8-of-15 three-pointers in a 36-point, nine-assist game against Boston College. She credited her teammates and head coach Charmin Smith for their belief in her.

Key Players and Statistics

Cal’s team stats showed a strong performance overall. Here are some key players and their contributions:

• Barnes: 15 points, 5-11 shooting, 3-4 from the free-throw line.
• Walker: 13 points, 5-8 shooting, 3-4 from the free-throw line.
• Maul: 8 points, 3-7 shooting, 0-2 from the free-throw line.
• Sheppard: 9 points, 3-7 shooting, 2-4 from the free-throw line.
• Twidale: 24 points, 8-16 shooting, 5-6 from the free-throw line.
• Langarita: 2 points, 0-1 shooting, 2-2 from the free-throw line.
• Ojukwu: 7 points, 2-5 shooting, 3-4 from the free-throw line.
• Donez: 0 points, 0-0 shooting, 0-0 from the free-throw line.

Stanford’s team stats included:

• Agara: 6 points, 2-8 shooting, 2-2 from the free-throw line.
• Ogden: 6 points, 3-8 shooting, 0-0 from the free-throw line.
• Somfai: 16 points, 6-15 shooting, 2-2 from the free-throw line.
• Clardy: 15 points, 5-15 shooting, 2-2 from the free-throw line.
• Swain: 10 points, 4-11 shooting, 2-2 from the free-throw line.
• Eschmeyer: 16 points, 6-13 shooting, 3-4 from the free-throw line.
• Stevenson: 2 points, 0-0 shooting, 2-2 from the free-throw line.
• Ijiwoye: 0 points, 0-6 shooting, 0-0 from the free-throw line.

Coach and Player Reactions

Twidale expressed her gratitude to her coaches and teammates for their support. “My coaches and teammates pour a lot of confidence into me,” she said. “Just allow me to be ready when it’s my time to shoot the ball.”

Head coach Charmin Smith praised Twidale’s ability to perform under pressure. “No matter what’s happened in the first three quarters, when the game’s on the line, she’s ready to knock it down.”

Stanford’s head coach, Kate Paye, acknowledged Twidale’s talent. “We’re very aware of her. I thought we did a good job early. A player like that, you might slow her down, but we gave her too many good looks late in the game.”

Key Moments and Highlights

Lara Somfai and Alexandra Eschmeyer were the top performers for Stanford, with 16 points each. Somfai also grabbed nine rebounds, while Eschmeyer added seven boards and four blocks. Somfai’s three-pointer with seven seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime.

In the fourth quarter, there was a scary moment when Cal’s Sakima Walker knocked over Stanford’s Nunu Agara. Walker was called for an offensive foul, and Agara remained on the floor for an extended period before being helped off the court. Agara did not return to the game, and Paye did not provide an update on her condition after the game.

Additional Notes

• The announced attendance was 4,519.
• Stanford guard Chloe Clardy and Cal guard Gisella Maul each played the entire 45 minutes.
• Stanford will host No. 8 Louisville on Thursday, while Cal will face Notre Dame at Haas on the same day.
• Hannah Hidalgo, a junior guard, had 30 points, six assists, and eight steals in a loss to Clemson. She leads the nation in steals.
• The Cardinal had a NET ranking of 36 entering the game, while the Bears’ was 58.

Steve Kroner is a freelance writer. Email: skroner@sbcglobal.net; X: @SteveKronerSF