Stanford’s Zone Stifles Colorado in Second-Half Surge, Hands Buffs Rare Loss
The Colorado Buffaloes have made a habit of turning it on in the second half this season. Deep bench, high-octane offense, and plenty of altitude-fueled stamina - it’s been a winning formula. But in Phoenix, far from the thin air of Boulder, that script got flipped.
Facing a disciplined Stanford squad that leaned heavily on a 2-3 zone, the Buffs couldn’t find their usual rhythm after halftime. Colorado went ice cold to start the second half, hitting just 4-of-18 from the field during a crucial stretch, and ultimately fell 77-68 - a rare stumble for a team that entered the game 10-2.
Stanford’s Zone Throws a Wrench in CU’s Interior Attack
Colorado’s size usually gives them an edge inside, and they did manage 40 points in the paint while shooting a respectable 47.3% from the field overall. But that number masks the real story.
Stanford’s zone defense clogged the lane and forced the Buffs into uncomfortable looks. CU’s frontcourt quartet - Sebastian Rancik, Bangot Dak, Elijah Malone, and Alon Michaeli - combined to shoot just 11-of-30, and the team drew only 13 free throws all game.
The Buffs had their chances from the perimeter, but the shots just wouldn’t fall. Colorado hit just four of their 17 three-point attempts (23.5%), and with Stanford crashing the glass and limiting CU to only seven offensive rebounds, second-chance opportunities were scarce.
Turnovers Pile Up as Offense Stalls
With the zone taking away the paint and the threes not dropping, Colorado’s offense began to unravel. Sloppy drives and forced passes led to 18 turnovers - 11 of them coming in the second half alone. That lack of ball security proved costly, especially as Stanford capitalized on the other end, turning those giveaways into 17 more points than CU managed off turnovers.
Okorie’s Record Night Lifts Stanford
While Colorado struggled to get going, Stanford freshman guard Ebuka Okorie put on a show. Back in action after missing two games, he dropped a career-high 32 points - a new single-game freshman record for the Cardinal. He was relentless, getting to the line 21 times and knocking down 18 of them, keeping Stanford afloat early and then helping them take command after the break.
Okorie’s performance was even more crucial considering the rest of the Stanford squad shot just 15-of-49 (30.6%) from the field. But where the Cardinal lacked efficiency, they made up for it with hustle - outrebounding Colorado by seven, including 12 offensive boards, and only turning the ball over nine times.
Key Numbers Tell the Story
Despite trailing by just two at halftime, Colorado couldn’t overcome the second-half slump. Stanford outscored the Buffs 44-33 in the final 20 minutes, fueled by extra possessions and a steady stream of trips to the free-throw line. The Cardinal attempted 28 more free throws than CU, and that disparity was a major difference-maker in a game where both teams shot nearly identical percentages from the field (Stanford 47.4%, Colorado 47.3%).
Bright Spots for the Buffs
There were a few silver linings for Colorado. Junior guard Barrington Hargress was efficient and aggressive, scoring 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting while adding six assists.
Freshman Isaiah Johnson chipped in 11 points and four assists of his own. And Jalin Holland brought energy off the bench, scoring seven points in just 17 minutes while posting a +8 in his time on the floor.
But those efforts weren’t enough to overcome the turnovers, the cold shooting, and the defensive issues that allowed Stanford to dictate the pace down the stretch.
How It Unfolded
The first half was a back-and-forth affair. CU jumped out early, with Rancik scoring inside and Hargress working the pick-and-roll to perfection. But Stanford’s defense - switching between man and zone - disrupted the flow, and Okorie’s early threes kept the Cardinal close.
After a brief scoring lull, Colorado went on a 9-2 run sparked by Hargress, who scored seven quick points to give the Buffs a 29-22 lead. But Stanford responded with a run of its own, thanks to timely shooting from Benny Gealer and gritty play inside from bench bigs Aidan Cammann and Oskar Giltay. The half ended with both teams a bit out of sync, but CU held a narrow 35-33 lead.
Then came the second half - and the zone.
Stanford committed to it fully, and Colorado never really adjusted. The Buffs opened the half with a turnover, then settled for tough jumpers.
Meanwhile, Stanford pounced, going on a 10-2 run to seize control. Okpara’s three-pointer and Okorie’s parade to the free-throw line fueled a 14-1 Cardinal run that pushed the lead to double digits.
By the time Colorado found any rhythm - hitting seven of their final eight shots - the deficit was too large. Hargress and Johnson tried to mount a late push, and CU finally knocked down a couple of threes in the final minutes, but the damage was done.
Looking Ahead
This loss will sting for Colorado - not just because of the result, but because of how it unfolded. The Buffs couldn’t solve the zone, couldn’t protect the basketball, and couldn’t get stops when they needed them most. It’s a reminder that even a talented, deep, and well-coached team can be thrown off its game with the right scheme and execution.
For Stanford, it’s a statement win powered by a breakout performance from Okorie and a team-wide commitment to defense and rebounding. If the Cardinal can replicate this formula, they’ll be a tough out in conference play.
As for Colorado, there’s work to be done - especially in how they attack zone defenses. The pieces are there, but this one showed there’s still another level to reach.