Stanford Closes Nonconference Slate with Statement Win Behind Okorie’s 30-Point Night
STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford men’s basketball wrapped up its nonconference schedule with an 88-80 win over CSUN at Maples Pavilion, and it was another electric performance from freshman phenom Ebuka Okorie that led the way. With the victory, the Cardinal moves to 11-2 on the season and remains unbeaten in program history against the Matadors, now 9-0 all-time.
Let’s start with the headline: Okorie was once again the engine of Stanford’s offense, dropping 30 points on 9-of-18 shooting. He knocked down four triples and went 8-for-10 at the line, showing the kind of scoring versatility that’s turning heads across the country.
This marks his second straight 30-point outing - a feat no Stanford player has pulled off since Landry Fields did it back in January 2010. With this latest performance, Okorie is set to climb into the top three nationally in scoring.
For a freshman? That’s rare air.
But it wasn’t a one-man show. Chisom Okpara continued his strong campaign with his fourth 20-point game of the season, giving Stanford a reliable second option in the scoring column.
Benny Gealer added 13 points and was lights out from deep, going 4-for-6 from three. His timely shooting helped stretch the floor and open up driving lanes for Okorie and Okpara.
Ryan Agarwal chipped in with 10 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds - tied with Aidan Cammann, who added five points and three assists. Oskar Giltay gave the Cardinal some valuable minutes off the bench, tallying eight points and five boards.
This was a game of runs, and Stanford’s ability to respond when it mattered most was the difference. CSUN came out swinging, taking a 29-20 lead with just under seven minutes left in the first half. The Cardinal clawed back with a 13-7 spurt and went into the break trailing by five, 38-33.
Then came the knockout punch. Stanford opened the second half on a blistering 13-0 run, fueled by hot shooting from beyond the arc.
Okorie and Gealer each hit a pair of threes during that stretch, flipping the game on its head and giving Stanford a 46-38 lead. CSUN didn’t fold, though - the Matadors battled back to tie things up at 69 with just over seven minutes to play.
That’s when Stanford showed its poise. The Cardinal responded with a 10-3 run to retake control, and this time, they didn’t let go. They forced 15 CSUN turnovers and turned them into 21 points, while also dominating the transition game with an 18-6 edge on fast-break points.
This win also marks Stanford’s sixth straight victory over a California-based opponent, and it sends them into conference play with momentum and confidence. With Okorie playing at an All-American level and a supporting cast that’s finding its rhythm, this team is starting to look like a real threat in the Pac-12.
Bottom line? Stanford’s got something brewing in Palo Alto - and it starts with No. 3 in cardinal red.