Timberwolves win four point contest 138-134 over Kings; Sac win streak ends at five

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince (12) is defended by Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) and forward Keegan Murray (13) as he shoots in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento Sun Mar 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (37-26) were back in action on Saturday night in Sacramento. The Kings were set to play the second night of a back-to-back as they welcomed to Golden 1 Center the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-32). The Kings first game of the back-to-back came against the LA Clippers on Friday.

The Kings defeated the Clippers 128-127. On Saturday, the Kings looked to keep the winning streak alive with a win against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.

GAME RESULT: In the first quarter, the Kings offense got off to a slower-than-normal start. Simultaneously, the Kings defense didn’t do much to slow down the Timberwolves offense. The Wolves scored 36 points in the first quarter to put themselves in the driver’s seat. The Kings only managed 30 points in the first quarter. The Kings offense looked a little tired playing another back-to-back game. The Kings would look to the second quarter to spark the comeback.

In the second quarter, the Kings couldn’t get things going on the defensive end. The Kings continued to give up massive numbers to the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves scored 38 points in the second quarter to expand the lead over the Kings. On the other hand, the Kings couldn’t pick up the slack on the offensive end. The Kings scored 34 points in the second quarter, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Wolves. The Kings would go into halftime trailing 74-64. The Kings would need to improve on the offensive and defensive end of the floor if they wanted any chance to win the game.

In the third quarter, it looked all downhill for the Kings. The Kings, at one point in the quarter, were down 18 points. The Wolves could do no wrong on the defensive end, and the Kings were not making shots. However, the Kings rallied back in the last minutes of the quarter to bring it to within three points heading into the final quarter. The Kings outscored the Wolves in the third quarter 38-31. The Kings would need to maintain the intensity in the fourth quarter to have a chance at victory.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings and Wolves fought hard for the win. The Kings did all they could to try and muster the energy to win another back-to-back game. However, the Kings weren’t able to get it done. The Timberwolves were too much to match on the offensive end as the Kings lost the game 138-134.

The Kings fought hard in the defeat and were led by Kevin Huerter, who had 29 points. A strong performance was had by the Timberwolves Anthony Edwards, who had 27 points. Ultimately, the Kings need to play some defense if they want to win big games when the offense isn’t on fire the whole game. The Kings enter a crucial stretch of the season against top-tier opponents that will challenge their standing in the western conference.

Up Next: The Kings will welcome in the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday at 7 PM PST.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal just couldn’t come up with ball in second half against UCLA

Stanford guard Haley Jones, center, moves the ball around UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez (23) during the first half at the womens Pac 12 Tournament at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Fri Mar 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 The 19th ranked UCLA Bruins pulled off an upset defeating the Stanford Cardinal on Friday night at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas 69-65 getting eliminated in from the tournament.

#3 The Bruins made a comeback on the Cardinal in second half play scoring 18 points in the third quarter and 29 in the fourth quarter to over come a 35-22 first half deficit.

#4 Kiki Rice led the way for the Bruins with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and made 12 of 13 free throws. Emily Bessoir was next with 14 points and six rebounds, Charisma Osborne had 12 points.

#5 The Cardinal had faced a number of upsets against USC, Washington, Utah, and UCLA in Pac 12 conference play. How surprising were these loses to coach Tara VanDerveer and the UCLA loss in particular?

Join Michael Roberson for Stanford Cardinal basketball podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 19 Bruins stun No. 6 Stanford 69-65 in Pac-12 women’s semis

UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives to the basket under pressure from Stanford guard Haley Jones (30) during the first half  at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Fri Mar 3, 2023 at the Pac 12 Tournament (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, March 2, 2023

In a Pac-12 women’s basketball tournament that has already seen its share of upsets, UCLA pulled off the latest one on Friday. The 19th-ranked Bruins used a furious second half to overtake No. 6 Stanford 69-65 in the semifinal round at Las Vegas.

It was only the second time in program history that Stanford lost a semifinal game in the Pac-12 tournament. UCLA becomes the first 5-seed to reach the title game.

Kiki Rice led the Bruins (25-8) with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists in addition to hitting 12 of 13 free throws. Emily Bessoir was next with 14 points and six rebounds, Charisma Osborne had 12 points followed by Gina Conti with 11 points, including 3 of 6 3-pointers.

Cameron Brink was the top scorer for Stanford (28-5) with 19 points to go with 11 rebounds and two blocks. Haley Jones was next with 15 points, 10 boards, three assists and two blocks. Hannah Jump and Francesca Belibi each contributed three assists.

Stanford led 17-8 after the first quarter and built a 35-22 halftime advantage. The Bruins erased a 16-point deficit in the second half, outscoring the Cardinal 29-15 in the fourth quarter.

UCLA used a 20-9 run to surge ahead 60-59 after Jones was called for a shoving foul which led to a Rice jumper with 2:07 remaining, Stanford had a chance to tie or take the lead after Rice missed the second of two free throws with 21 seconds to play and the Bruins leading by two. But Conti got the rebound, was fouled and hit two free throws to give UCLA a four-point lead.

The Bruins move on to the championship game on Sunday, facing Washington State, which has defeated No. 3 Utah and No, 20 Colorado in the tourney. Stanford now waits to see where they will be seeded in the NCAA tournament.

Pac 12 Tournament podcast with Daniel Dullum: Stanford women take it to Ducks in 76-65 thriller

Stanford Cardinal center Cameron Brink (22) show her wide arm span as teammate guard Hannah Jump (33) and Oregon Ducks guard Chance Gray (2) look on at the Pac 12 Tournament in Las Vegas on Thu Mar 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal women (28-4) picked up game one of the Pac 12 Tournament with a 76-65 win over the Oregon Ducks (17-14) on Thursday the Cardinal are coming into March rolling which is really no surprise to anyone.

#2 Cameron Brink once again led Stanford with 22 points she never got intimidated on any of the Ducks double teaming and was a key part of the reason why the Cardinal got the 11 point win.

#3 This past Tuesday Brink was named the Pac 12 defensive player of the year at this rate with her shot blocking could end up getting her the NCAA defensive player of the year.

#4 Taking a look at the prospects of Stanford’s chances of taking this game you could make that prediction as the Cardinal defense allowed the Ducks only nine points in the first quarter and and 15 in the second quarter. The Ducks could never really catch up with the Cardinal after the first half.

#5 The Cardinal are battling with the UCLA Bruins in game 2 of the Pac 12 Tournament the Bruins were defeated by the Cardinal in their last meeting 71-66 at Maples Pavilion on Mon Feb 20th. Will the Bruins be looking for blood in tonight’s game against the Cardinal?

Join Daniel Dullum for the Pac 12 Tournament podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 6 Cardinal women defeat Oregon 76-63 in Pac-12 quarterfinals

Stanford forward Cameron Brink, left, grabs a rebound next to Oregon center Phillipina Kyei during the second half at the Pac 12 Tournament in Las Vegas on Thu Mar 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, March 2, 2023

Cameron Brink enjoyed another big night for Stanford Thursday, leading the No. 6 Cardinal past Oregon 76-63 in the Pac-12 women’s basketball tournament quarterfinals in Las Vegas.

Brink, a junior center, scored 22 points, grabbed 11 rebounds for her 14th double-double of the season. Hannah Jump was next for Stanford (28-4) with 13 points, Talana Lepolo scored 10 points, and Haley Jones had eight points along with eight assists and 13 rebounds.

The Cardinal dominated the boards, outrebounding Oregon 56-39. Stanford converted 21 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points.

Te-Hina Paopao netted a career-high 28 points for Oregon (17-14), including a tournament record-tying seven 3-pointers. Endyia Rogers added 15 points for the Ducks, who hit 29.4 percent of their field goals (20 of 68).

The Cardinal opened the game with an 11-2 run, including 7-of-7 free throws. Brink had eight of Stanford’s 21 points in the second quarter, as the Cardinal built a 37-24 halftime lead. Oregon rallied to start the second half, but the Cardinal used a 7-0 run to close the period.

Stanford will face UCLA in the semifinals on Friday.

Cardinal men win second straight, rout OSU 83-60

Oregon State guard Dexter Akanno (4) drives to the basket past Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) during the first half at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis Or on Thu Mar 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, March 2, 2023

Stanford won its second straight game on Thursday, defeating Oregon State 83-60 in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore., giving the Cardinal a season sweep in the series.

Spencer Jones led the Cardinal (13-17 overall, 7-12 Pac-12) with 25 points, followed by Brandon Angel with 15 points and five assists, Maxime Raynaud with 13 points and Harrison Ingram had 13 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Michael O’Connell had eight assists and Max Murrell added four blocks.

Jones hit 10 of 16 from the field, including 5 of 9 from 3-point range. Overall, the Cardinal made 10 of 26 3-pointers and shot 58 percent.

Jordan Pope and Tyler Bilodeau each scored 11 points to lead Oregon State (10-20 overall, 4-15 Pac-12). Bilodeau also had six rebounds. Stanford’s defense held the Beavers to 35 percent shooting from the field.

Oregon State led 14-5 early, but the Cardinal took a 15-14 lead after responding with a 10-0 run. The Cardinal led 40-34 at halftime and outscored the Beavers 43-26 in the second half.

Stanford opened the second half with a 19-7 run and led by as many as 28 with less than two minutes to play.

The Cardinal wrap up their regular season Saturday at Oregon. The 1 p.m. game will be nationally televised by CBS.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal set for Pac 12 Tournament coming off tough loss to Utah

Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) blocks the shot of Utah guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) in the first half in Salt Lake City on Sat Feb 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Utah earned a share of the Pac-12 women’s basketball regular season championship on Saturday, as the No. 8 Utes upended No. 3 Stanford 84-78.

#2 The Utes Gianna Kneepkens scored a season-high 28 points to lead the Utes (25-3 overall, 15-3 Pac-12) to their first regular season conference title, only two seasons removed from winning five total games. 

#3 Hannah Jump scored 24 points for Stanford (27-4 overall, 15-3 Pac-12), followed by Cameron Brink with 14 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, and Haley Jones with nine points and eight rebounds.

#4 Utah forced three straight turnovers in the final minute to lock down the win. The Utes scored 26 points off of 21 Stanford turnovers. The Cardinal held a 37-23 rebounding edge.

#5 Stanford and Utah each have a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament this week in Las Vegas as things get underway in the Tournament on Thu Mar 2.

Join Michael for podcast coverage of the Stanford Cardinal in the MBB and WBB on Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Teaches Washington New Tricks on Senior Day, 81-69

Stanford forward Spencer Jones (14) shoots over Washington guard Jamal Bey (5) during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Feb 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (12-16, 6-12 Pac-12) gave their four seniors a great sendoff, as they controlled the Washington Huskies (16-14, 8-11 Pac-12) 81-69, in Maples Pavilion.

Senior forward Spencer Jones wasted no time trying to make his last game on the Farm a memorable one, with his early attack (16 points) of the dogs from the Evergreen State.

During the first 20 minutes of play, the Cardinal led the entire half, aided by an 8-0 run and a margin as wide as 12 points, which was the advantage at recess, 38-26.

Jones topped all players with his tally, while Huskies’ senior forward Keion Brooks Jr. offered his squad 10 points.

The second portion of the contest Stanford extended the lead as high as 20 points, with Washington trying to chip away at the deficit throughout the game.

The Cardinal managed to hold on to the advantage and win by the same margin (12) as they had at the midway point, 81-69. They also shot an impressive 50% from 3pt. range (12-24), which explained their dominance over the visitors from the Great Northwest.

Several non-graduating players joined Jones (21) in double-figure scoring: Sophomore forward Maxime Raynaud (15), junior forward Brandon Angel (14), sophomore forward Harrison Ingram (11) and graduate transfer Michael Jones (10), who has another year of eligibility, despite being senior.

Stanford will play next in Corvallis Thursday, March 2 to take on Oregon State, while Washington hosts Washington State on the same date.

No. 8 Utes upend No. 3 Stanford 84-78, claim share of Pac-12 women’s crown

All the Stanford Cardinal bench can do is just watch as Utah guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) reacts to making a 3-point shot against Stanford in the first half Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, February 25, 2023

Utah earned a share of the Pac-12 women’s basketball regular season championship on Saturday, as the No. 8 Utes upended No. 3 Stanford 84-78 before 9,611 at Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Gianna Kneepkens scored a season-high 28 points to lead the Utes (25-3 overall, 15-3 Pac-12) to their first regular season conference title, only two seasons removed from winning five total games. Alissa Pili was next for Utah with 14 points, and Kennedy McQueen had 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and six steals.

Hannah Jump scored 24 points for Stanford (27-4 overall, 15-3 Pac-12), followed by Cameron Brink with 14 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, and Haley Jones with nine points and eight rebounds.

Utah led 40-34 at halftime and made 5 of 7 shots to open the third quarter, building a 52-40 lead on back-to-back field goals by Kneepkens and Issy Palmer. The Utes led the entire second half, although Stanford pulled to within 73-72 after Brink and Jones each scored two baskets. Utah responded with a 3-pointer by Kneepkens to keep the Cardinal from getting any closer.

Utah forced three straight turnovers in the final minute to lock down the win. The Utes scored 26 points off of 21 Stanford turnovers. The Cardinal held a 37-23 rebounding edge.

Stanford and Utah each have a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament this week in Las Vegas.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: It was a fight to the end in double OT win for Stanford

Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod, top, fights for control of the ball with Stanford forward Kiki Iriafen in the first half at CU Events Center in Boulder Col on Thu Feb 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 The No.3 Stanford Cardinal wbb (27-3) defeated the No.21 Colorado Buffaloes (21-7) at CU Events Center in Boulder 73-62 on Thursday night to clinch the Pac 12 title.

#2 The Cardinal have had a lot of success on the floor and when the Buffaloes pushed this one into overtime the Cardinal resisted defeat and got nine point double overtime win. Talk about that hard earned effort in the two overtimes.

#3 Daniel to the leaderboard the Cardinal got offensive scoring help from Haley Jones who led with 23 points she was crucial on offense to help the Cardinal get the overtime victory.

#4 The Buffalo defense double teamed and kept Cameron Brink off her game Brink scored only eight points but she enjoyed the victory.

#5 The Cardinal close out the regular season Saturday night in Utah against the Utah Utes (25-3) the Utes have a similar record and this could be one of Stanford toughest conference games this season.

Join Daniel for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com