SPOKANE, Wash. — The reigning champions are back in the Final Four. No. 1-seeded Stanford beat No. 2 Texas, 59-50, on Sunday to reach its 15th N.C.A.A. tournament national semifinals.
The Cardinal were cheered on by a Spokane Arena crowd decidedly in their court thanks to fans of the Hull twins, Lexie and Lacie, who grew up in Spokane. Lexie Hull was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points on 7 of 14 shooting.
The game was chippy, physical and fast from the tip-off, with each side blocking shots and making tough looks. It was exactly the pace and style the Longhorns sought, though Stanford still found ways to score.