A lot of college basketball games are won at the half. I have no idea just what is said or done, but one team will start the second half with a big push and then pull through to a win.

Stanford won three games in the NCAA women’s tournament just that way. A tight game at the half, a big push coming out of the half and a finishing drive for the win.

Stanford lost to Michigan State that way as well. Tied at the half, Michigan State came out with an 8-0 run and built the lead to 13 with 11:09 to play. Stanford would subsequently pull back into a tie three times, but would never break into the lead.