It became evident early on in the Washington basketball team’s game last night — a conference tilt against Stanford (10-4 overall, 2-2 Pac-10) — that Jon Brockman was going to be a huge force to be reckoned with. By halftime, the sophomore captain scored 10 points and dominated the paint.

However, as the Huskies (11-5 overall, 1-4 Pac-10) drove the court for the last time and Phil Nelson heaved up his desperation 3-point shot, all Brockman could do was wait. The ball came off the rim and Brockman did the only thing he could, tip in the basket. Unfortunately for him and the Huskies, though, the effort was not enough, and Stanford came away with the win, 78-77.

Not only does last night’s loss place Washington in a position of being winless in its first four road games, it also extends the losing streak at Maples Pavilion to 14 years.

Washington had its chances in the second half to walk away with a win. After trailing by two at halftime, the UW came out firing and, after six unanswered points with 12:30 remaining, took its biggest lead of the game, 56-51.

It would not last for the Huskies, though. Taking advantage of a scoring drought that lasted 4:17, Stanford shot back in front 72-71.

For the Cardinal, the Lopez twins — Robin and Brook — played key roles in keeping the team in it to the end. Combined, the brothers scored 18 second-half points and also added seven of the team’s eight blocked shots.

Robin scored a career-high on the night with 17 points, and Brook contributed 12.

“Stanford’s going to be really good,” coach Lorenzo Romar told the Associated Press. “The Lopez twins are going to make a big impact, no doubt about it. They definitely know how to play inside.”

Justin Dentmon — who had a big night off the bench for Washington with 15 points and five rebounds — retook the lead with a 3-point play of his own.

With a two-point lead and just 29 seconds remaining, the Huskies’ inexperience once again came forward.

Spencer Hawes was called for a foul against Lawrence Hill, which fouled him out of the game. It was an all-around bad night for Hawes, with the freshman scoring just six points in the loss.

After Hill moved Stanford ahead, Quincy Pondexter was fouled and went to the line. He missed the front end of the two free throws, merely tying the game rather than putting the Huskies ahead.

“We were our own worst enemy down the stretch,” Romar told the AP. “We just did not play smart.”

When Anthony Goods scored the last two of his team-high 19, the Cardinal led by two, and would never trail again.

In all, the game featured 11 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than seven.

Despite the loss, Brockman had a big performance for the Huskies. He secured his eighth double-double of the season on the final tip-in and finished with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Huskies will get another chance to salvage the road trip with a Saturday match up against California.

Reach reporter Justin Chartrey at justinchartrey@thedaily.washington.edu.