So far, the team has posted a 9-0-season record. Defense has been the key factor in all of their victories this season, according to senior guard and co-captain Ashley Ong. “Though our offense sometimes lacks consistency, we always are able to make it up with defense,” she said.

Defense certainly was key to the team’s shocking victory over Lincoln on Feb. 6. Prior to the game, both teams were the only undefeated teams in the league. The Mustangs were favored in this epic showdown, with all their starting veteran players back from last year. But the Cardinals did have one edge. “Our biggest advantage has been our post players, because coming into the game, we were a bit bigger than them,” head coach Aki Kuwada said.

Trailing by 16 in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals strengthened their defense and made crucial stops. On the offensive end of the court, they focused on maintaining a half-court offense instead of a running game.

This game plan was enough for the Cardinals to come surging back, and with four seconds left on the clock, junior guard Amanda Chow made a lay-up that won the game for the girls. “It definitely felt like history repeating itself,” senior center Jessi Miao said. “It was like last year’s championship game where we were down by a large margin in the fourth quarter and came back to win the game.”

Now that they are the only undefeated team in the league, the girls look to finish the season strong. “We feel confident after winning against Lincoln, but we’re going to keep playing hard for the rest of the season,” junior guard Kristina Lum said. “We hope to win the championship again, but it’s going to be tough to repeat.”

Another key game this season was Battle of the Birds on Jan. 30. After trailing 0-8 in the first quarter, the girls went on a 14-0 run that overwhelmed the Washington Eagles. “We got a lot of steals, and the momentum completely changed in our favor,” Ong said.

The Cardinals did not relinquish the lead and won the game decisively 51-37. “Battle of the Birds was a statement game for us,” Miao said. “It showed the other teams that we’re a force to be reckoned with.”

Come support the Cardinals at 5:15 p.m. next tuesday at ISA while they beat the Cobras.