Stanford guard Michael O’Connell (5) shoots against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men’s tournament Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
By Daniel Dullum
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Stanford built an early lead and maintained it until the final horn on Wednesday, as the 10th-seeded Cardinal upended 7th-seed Utah 73-62 in the opening round of the Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Cardinal (14-18) had four players in double-figures, led by Brandon Angel with 16 points, followed by Harrison Ingram with 15, and 12 points each by Spencer Jones and Maxime Raynaud. Jones and Michael O’Connell each had four assists; Angel and Raynaud pulled down 12 and nine rebounds, respectively.
Branden Carlson scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Utes (17-15). Gabe Madsen was next with 13 points, followed by Lazar Stefanovic with 10. Carlson grabbed 10 rebounds and Rollie Worster had eight boards as Utah outrebounded the Cardinal 40-38.
Stanford, however, had a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint while handing the Utes their fifth straight defeat.
The Cardinal led 34-27 at halftime. Utah pulled to within 58-48 on a Stefanovic 3-pointer with six minutes left in the second half. Jones responded with a 3 for the Cardinal. A basket by Carlson closed Utah’s deficit to 70-60 at 1:20, but Angel sank a pair of free throws and Ingram hit one of two at the line.
Stanford faces No. 8 Arizona in Thursday’s quarterfinal round. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.