WSU slips past Cardinal men 67-63

Stanford Cardinal forward Harrison Ingram (55) takes a shot at the top of the key against the Washington State Cougars guard Justin Powell (24) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Thu Feb 23, 2023 (Stanford University photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 23, 2023

Stanford dropped its third straight Pac-12 men’s basketball game on Thursday, as the Cardinal fell to visiting Washington State 67-63 at Maples Pavilion.

TJ Bamba led the Cougars (14-15 overall, 9-9 Pac-12) with 22 points, hiting 9 of 14 field goal attempts, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Mouhamed Gueye was next with 15 points, connecting on 6 of 8 shots and a 3 while pulling down 15 rebounds, and Andrej Jakimovski with 11 points, hitting 3 of 5 behind the arc. Justin Powell had five assists.

Stanford (11-17 overall, 5-12 Pac-12) had four players in double figures. Brandon Angel led the Cardinal with 17 points (6 of 8 field goals and 4 of 5 3-pointers), followed by Harrison Ingram with 15 points, and Maxime Raynaud and Michael Jones with 10 points each.

Raynaud had seven rebounds and Angel had six more, but the Cardinal was outrebounded 31-27. Ingram and Michael O’Connell each were credited with five assists.

Stanford led 16-12 at the 11-minute mark of the first half before the Cougars made three 3-pointers in the final minute before halftime, eventually leading 30-28 at the break.

Washington State build an eight-point lead four minutes into the second half, but Michael Jones responded with a four-point play to cut the Cardinal deficit to one possession. Back-to-back scores by Ingram tied the game at 55-55, and a dunk by Angel tied the game at 63-63 with 2:51 remaining.

Bamba’s jump shot in the lane broke the tie with 44 seconds left. DJ Rodman sank a pair of free throws with 14 seconds remaining, putting the Cougars up 67-63. Stanford missed four shots in the final five seconds,

Stanford honors its senior class on Sunday at 3 p.m. when the Cardinal host Washington.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal look to get back on winning track against Washington Thursday at Maples

Southern California forward Kijani Wright (33) reaches for a rebound next to Stanford forward Harrison Ingram (55), guard Michael O’Connell (5) and forward Maxime Raynaud (42) during the second half at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Sat Feb 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 Boogie Ellis enjoyed a career night for Southern California on Saturday, as the Trojans beat Stanford 85-75 in men’s basketball at Galen Center.

#2 Ellis, a senior guard, recorded career highs with 33 points, seven assists and six 3-pointers. His 33 points were the most for a USC player since Onyeka Okongwu scored 33 on Nov, 19, 2019.

#3 Drew Peterson hit 8-of-14 from the field and scored 21 points to go with seven rebounds. Reese Dixon-Waters, back from missing four games due to injury, scored 12 points, and contributed three rebounds and two assists.

#4 Harrison Ingram led the Cardinal with 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds in Stanford’s only regular-season meeting with the Trojans. 

#5 The Cardinal return to Maples Pavilion for their final two home games of the season, hosting Washington State on Thursday and Washington on Saturday.

Catch the Stanford Cardinal podcasts with Michael Roberson Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 3 Stanford women hold off No. 17 UCLA 71-66

Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Emily Bessoir (11) during the first half at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Feb 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Monday, February 20, 2023

Junior Cameron Brink scored 25 points to go with a perfect night at the free throw line, as the No. 3 Cardinal held off No. 17 UCLA 71-66 Monday in Pac-12 women’s basketball at Maples Pavilion.

Brink sank all 15 of her foul shots; the last one put the Cardinal (26-3 overall, 14-2 Pac-12) ahead to stay with 1:53 to play. Haley Jones, one of the “Funky Four” Stanford seniors, scored 18 points and had three steals. Jones’ layup with 1:22 to play gave the Cardinal a three-point lead.

Jones made a go-ahead jumper at 2:45 of the second half before Lina Sontag answered with a 3-pointer for the Bruins, putting UCLA ahead 65-64. The Bruins’ lead was erased for good when Brink hit her 14th and 15th free throws of the game.

Stanford led by 16 with 6:03 left in the second quarter and held a 39-24 halftime lead.

Freshman Londynn Jones led the Bruins (21-7 overall, 10-6 Pac-12) with 14 points, followed by Charisma Osborne and Kiki Rice with 11 points each. Lina Sontag was next with 10 points.

While Stanford won its fourth straight game, the loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Bruins, who outrebounded the Cardinal 36-33. Brink and Jones each had six rebounds for Stanford, while Osborne pulled down a game-high seven boards for UCLA, along with six assists and six steals.

Brink blocked two shots, giving her 102 for the season. She set the school record for blocks last week in Stanford’s win over Southern California.

Stanford wraps up its regular season with a road trip to Colorado on Thursday and Utah on Saturday.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal take on UCLA tonight; Stanford looking to sweep the homestand

Stanford guard Indya Nivar, front left, blocks a shot by Southern California guard Kayla Williams, front right, during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Feb 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford podcast with Michael:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (26-3) No.3 are coming off that big win against the USC Trojans (19-8) 50-47 a close game against an unranked school.

#2 Once again Stanford got offensive help from Cameron Brink who led with 12 points.

#3 Michael, talk about guard Kiki Irafen and her contribution to this offense she got nine points on Friday night at Stanford.

#4 Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer says that confidence down the stretch in a game against USC and it was close with Stanford winning by three points.

#5 The Cardinal match up tonight against UCLA No.16 (21-6 at Maples Pavilion. how do you see this match up tonight?

Join Michael for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Big night for Ellis lifts Trojans past Stanford 85-75

The USC Trojans forward (3) Vincent Iwuchukwu congratulates teammate guard Kobe Johnson (0) at the Galen Center in Los Angeles after defeating the Stanford Cardinal (@USC_Hoops photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, February 18, 2023

Boogie Ellis enjoyed a career night for Southern California on Saturday, as the Trojans beat Stanford 85-75 in men’s basketball at Galen Center.

Ellis, a senior guard, recorded career highs with 33 points, seven assists and six 3-pointers. His 33 points were the most for a USC player since Onyeka Okongwu scored 33 on Nov, 19, 2019.

The Trojans (19-8 overall, 11-5 Pac-12) won their 14th straight home game and remains in third place in the conference standings, Ellis had six of USC’s 13 3-pointers.

Drew Peterson hit 8-of-14 from the field and scored 21 points to go with seven rebounds. Reese Dixon-Waters, back from missing four games due to injury, scored 12 points, and contributed three rebounds and two assists.

Harrison Ingram led the Cardinal with 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds in Stanford’s only regular-season meeting with the Trojans. Michael Jones was next with 14 points, while Spencer Jones and Brandon Angel added 11 points apiece. Michael O’Connell had nine points and a game-high seven assists.

Stanford (11-16 overall, 5-11 Pac-12) jumped to a 9-2 lead early, before the Trojans took control of the game with a 16-2 run. After the Cardinal pulled to within two points, Ellis hit a pair of 3s, sparking an 11-0 run that gave USC a 41-30 halftime lead.

While Stanford outscored the Trojans 45-44 in the second half, USC led by no less than seven points while connecting on 53.8 percent of its field goal attempts in the last 20 minutes.

There were a couple of pluses for Stanford – the Cardinal outscored USC 38-22 in the paint with 13 of those points coming on second chances. Stanford shot 46 percent from the field, including 40 percent (8 of 20) behind the arc.

The Cardinal return to Maples Pavilion for their final two home games of the season, hosting Washington State on Thursday and Washington on Saturday.

No. 3 Cardinal women survive late scare from USC in 50-47 win

Southern California guard Kayla Williams, left, tries to drive to the basket while defended by Stanford guard Indya Nivar during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Feb 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, February 17, 2023

No. 3 Stanford held off a late challenge from visiting Southern California Friday, as the Cardinal emerged with a 50-47 Pac-12 women’s basketball win over the No. 25 Trojans at Maples Pavilion.

Cameron Brink paced the Cardinal (25-3 overall, 13-2 Pac-12) with 12 points, ten rebounds and six blocked shots, Indya Nivar and Kiki Iriafen each scored nine points, and Haley Jones had eight points, ten rebounds and five assists.

USC (19-7 overall, 9-6 Pac-12) was led by Destiny Littleton with 15 points, followed by Okako Adika with 13 points and nine rebounds. Clarice Akunwafo finished with 12 rebounds.

Stanford led by one point after the first quarter and built a 32-26 halftime lead. The Cardinal led 40-29 at 7:55 of the third quarter on Hannah Jump’s 3-pointer. After Brink hit a pair of free throws at 8:05 of the fourth, the Trojans went on an 10-2 run capped by Okako Adika’s two free throws at 2:42, and her 20-foot jumper pulled USC to within 48-45 with 1:43 remaining.

Brink’s layup at 1:09 of the fourth quarter put the Cardinal up 50-45. Stanford’s Talana Lepolo committed a shooting foul with 37 seconds left, sending Littleton to the line. Littleton made both free throws, cutting the Stanford lead to 50-47.

USC had one more possession with three seconds remaining. Littleton missed a 23-foot 3-point attempt with one second left, and Nivar grabbed the defensive rebound to secure the win.

Attendance for this Top 25 matchup was 6,343. The Cardinal host UCLA on Monday.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal try to come away from road trip with a win at USC Saturday

UCLA Bruins guard Jaylen Clark (0) spends a little hang time on the rim after throwing down against the Stanford Cardinal at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Thu Feb 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a game-high 26 points for the UCLA Bruins (23-4) Thursday, as the No. 4 Bruins overcame a halftime deficit and defeated the Stanford Cardinal (11-16) 73-64 in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Pauley Pavilion.

#2 Earlier this season, the Bruins defeated Stanford 80-66. It was UCLA’s fifth straight win.

#3 Jaquez also grabbed nine rebounds and had three assists. Jaylen Clark was next for the Bruins with 16 points, three steals and six boards. 

#4 The Bruins surged ahead with an 16-4 run to open the second half, but Stanford responded with a 14-2 run to regain the lead at 50-45.

#5 Stanford prepares for USC (19-8) on Saturday night another tough customer coming off the tough loss to UCLA how much of a push will the Cardinal need to get past USC tomorrow night?

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

No. 4 Bruins hold off stubborn Stanford 73-64

Stanford forward Harrison Ingram dunks next to UCLA guard Jaylen Clark, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Los Angeles. UCLA won 73-64. (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 12, 2023

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a game-high 26 points for UCLA Thursday, as the No. 4 Bruins overcame a halftime deficit and defeated Stanford 73-64 in Pac-12 men’s basketball at Pauley Pavilion.

Earlier this season, the Bruins defeated Stanford 80-66. It was UCLA’s fifth straight win.

Jaquez also grabbed nine rebounds and had three assists. Jaylen Clark was next for the Bruins with 16 points, three steals and six boards. Adem Bona and David Singleton each added eight points for UCLA (22-4 overall, 13-2 Pac-12).

Michael Jones led the Cardinal (11-15 overall, 5-10 Pac-12) with 15 points, followed by Harrison Ingram with 13 points and Maxime Raynaud with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Michael O’Connell had five assists, four rebounds and two steals, and Ingram finished with six rebounds and five assists.

Spencer Jones, the Cardinal’s top scorer at 13.7 points per game, was held to six.

Stanford hit six of their first seven shots to start the game. UCLA took its first lead at 16-15 at 11:35 of the first half, but the Cardinal responded with a 9-0 run and led 31-27 at halftime.

The Bruins surged ahead with an 16-4 run to open the second half, but Stanford responded with a 14-2 run to regain the lead at 50-45. A dunk by Clark put UCLA ahead to stay at 58-57, but after a three-minute scoring drought, ingram hit a jumper to make it a one-point game with 4:59 remaining,

Will McClendon hit a 3-pointer with 3:39 remaining, extending the Bruins’ lead to 63-59. A parade to the free throw line, sinking eight foul shots, allowed the Bruins to build their permanent lead.

Stanford travels to Southern California on Saturday.

No. 6 Cardinal women cruise past struggling ASU 96-64

Stanford Cardinal had lots to celebrate after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Sun Feb 11, 2023 (photo from gostanford.com)

By Daniel Dullum
Sunday, February 12, 2023

No. 6 Stanford completed a women’s basketball sweep of its Arizona road swing on Sunday, as the Cardinal routed Arizona State 96-64 before an announced crowd of 1,759 at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Ariz.

Reserve Agnes Enna-Nnopu led the Cardinal (24-3 overall, 12-2 Pac-12) with 18 points, as Stanford’s bench outscored injury-depleted ASU’s 52-14. Lauren Betts also had 13 points in 16 minutes and Francesca Belibi scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds as every Cardinal reserve saw action.

As for the Stanford starters, Cameron Brink scored 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting, along with eight rebounds, three assists and one block in 12 minutes. Hannah Jump and Kiki Iriafen each scored 12 points. Talana Lepolo had four assists, and Haley Jones had five assists, five rebounds and four blocks in 21 minutes.

Stanford held a 58-35 rebounding advantage, and scored 38 points in the paint, 20 points off of 12 ASU turnovers, and 24 fast break points.

Tyi Skinner played all 40 minutes and scored a game-high 21 points to go with four steals and five assists to lead the Sun Devils (7-16 overall, 0-12 Pac-12). Jadden Simmons scored 13 points, and Isadora Sousa, Treasure Hunt and Meg Newman each had five rebounds. The Sun Devils used only eight players.

Stanford never trailed in the game, leading 29-13 after one quarter and 54-23 at halftime. The Cardinal’s biggest lead was 42 points at 3:47 of the third quarter.

Next weekend, the Cardinal return home to host USC on Friday and UCLA on Monday.

Stanford Tames and Infects #4 Arizona with Cat Scratch Fever 88-79

Stanford guard Michael O’Connell (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Feb 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — Michael O’Connel’s career-high 22 points helped his Stanford Cardinal (11-14, 5-9 Pac-12) upset and brake the #4 Arizona Wildcats (22-4, 11-43 Pac-12) inside a crowded Maples Pavilion, 88-79.

Stanford took charge after the opening tip-off and led for the first six minutes of the game. However, the desert cats of Arizona clawed their way back to take the lead

Both teams battled the rest of the half, with Stanford orchestrating a 7-0 run and 5-point lead, while Arizona put on a 13-0 run and garnered a 9-point advantage.

After 20 minutes of action, the Wildcats were in front by three, 44-41.

The Cardinal had no player in double-figures, but Maxime Raynaud scored nine. Arizona’s top baller was senior guard Courtney Ramey (14) with four 3’s made.

Part 2 of the contest demonstrated more of a conference scuffle, as both teams exchanged leads, but the Cardinal really took charge at the 3:28 mark, establishing a 10-point lead.

Although scoreless in the first half, Cardinal senior forward Spencer Jones contributed an impressive 18 points in the second stanza.

The Farm Faithful energized the home team to perform a 10-0 run and lead by as much as 11 points and they finished off the felines from the Grand Canyon State by nine, 88-79.

Stanford’s entire starting lineup was in double-figures: Michael O’Connell (22) Spencer Jones (18) and six rebounds Brandon Angel (14) Maxime Raynaud (13) and five rebounds Harrison Ingram (12), nine rebounds and seven assists Arizona produced four double-digit scorers: Courtney Ramey (26) on eight treys, six rebounds and five assists. Cedric Henderson Jr. (12), Pelle Larsson (12) and Kerr Krisa (10).

The Cardinal travel downstate to take on the UCLA Bruins Thursday, February 16 at Pauley Pavilion, while Arizona heads back to Tucson to host the Utah Utes on the same date.

Spencer Jones has his Kansas City Chiefs winning SB LVII.