Stanford Cardinal forward Spencer Jones (14) led the Cardinal in scoring 21 points against the Chicago State Cougars at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (photo from Stanford Cardinal)
By Michael Roberson
PALO ALTO–The Stanford Cardinal (8-12, 2-7 Pac-12) managed to tame the Chicago State Cougars (5-17) late on the Farm with a courageous comeback victory, 72-65.
Stanford opened the game with the first basket being converted on a jumper by sophomore forward Maxime Raynaud. The two point lead was the largest the Cardinal was able to accomplish in the first 20 minutes of play, despite their 6-0 run.
Chicago State on the other hand also had a 6-0 run, but parlayed that to a lead as large as 10 points. They kept their margin at the halftime buzzer, 41-34.
Senior forward Spencer Jones topped the Cardinal in scoring (12) with four 3-pointers, and Raynaud added 10 points.
Chicago State also had two players reach double figures, as well as bombing three treys apiece. Sophomore guard Wesley Cardet Jr. (19) was perfect from beyond the arc, and senior guard Elijah Weaver (11) only missed one shot from downtown.
The second stanza presented the cats from the Windy City increasing the lead to 12, but the sturdy tree of Palo Alto did not give up on the contest.
Stanford fought back and tied the game (54) at just under the 9-minute mark. Less than two minutes later, the Cardinal regained their two-point margin.
The Cardinal was able to build on that advantage with the assistance of sophomore forward Harrison Ingram’s two clutch shots putting his squad up by 4 points with a little over four minutes left in regulation, then 6 with 1:03 left in the game.
The winning margin was eventually seven, and the Cardinal was able to survive a scare from the tenacious team from the City of Broad Shoulders.
Four players offered double-digit scoring for Stanford: Spencer Jones (21) hit 6 threes, Maxime Raynaud (17) grabbed 13 rebounds, Harrison Ingram (15) also secured 7 rebounds, and junior guard Michael O’Connell (10).
Chicago State represented that plateau with three players. Wesley Cardet Jr. (31) was perfect from the 3pt. arc and free throw line, Elijah Weaver (13), and sophomore guard Jahsean Corbett (13).
Stanford is next in action Saturday, January 28, hosting California for part two of the Battle of the Bay, while CSU returns back home to Chicago and faces nearby Aurora University on the same date.
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