In a thrilling showdown at Maples Pavilion, Stanford's men's basketball team pulled off a 75-67 victory over Pittsburgh, thanks to a standout performance by Ebuka Okorie. The win boosts Stanford's record to 17-11 overall and 6-9 in the ACC.
Okorie was nothing short of spectacular, dropping 34 points, marking his sixth game this season with 30 or more. This also ties him with BYU’s AJ Dybantsa for the national lead in games with at least 25 points.
An impressive 28 of those points came in the second half, setting a personal best. Okorie was efficient, shooting 11-for-19 from the field, 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, and a flawless 9-for-9 from the charity stripe.
He also contributed six rebounds and six assists, showcasing his all-around game.
Okorie's performance also etched his name in Stanford's record books. His nine free throws made tied him with Brevin Knight for ninth place on Stanford’s single-season list, surpassing notable names like John Revelli, Reid Travis, and Arthur Lee. He also snagged three steals, tying Daejon Davis for sixth on Stanford’s freshman steals list.
Supporting Okorie, Benny Gealer and Aidan Cammann chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Jaylen Thompson made a mark with a career-high eight points in his first start of the season, playing a career-high 32 minutes. Gealer's performance was highlighted by his 71st three-pointer of the season, tying him for 16th place in Stanford’s single-season history alongside Anthony Goods and Aaron Bright.
Stanford's team effort was evident as they shot 50 percent from the floor and dominated the paint with a 42-24 advantage.
Despite trailing by seven points early in the first half, Stanford managed to reclaim the lead with a 7-0 run, all courtesy of Gealer. However, Pittsburgh led by two at halftime.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair featuring seven lead changes. Okorie’s late-game heroics, including a personal 9-0 run, were pivotal.
Even after Pittsburgh's 11-0 surge gave them a 63-57 lead with just over seven minutes left, Stanford responded with crucial and-ones from Cammann and Okorie. Okorie then sealed the deal by scoring 13 of Stanford’s final 15 points, leading an 18-4 run to clinch the win.
This victory marks Stanford's second ever against Pittsburgh and their first as ACC members, adding another memorable chapter to their season.