On Saturday, the Haas Pavilion witnessed an intense battle as Stanford men's basketball emerged victorious over its long-time rival, California. The game was a true test of skill and determination, with the Cardinal showing their dominance from the very start.

Stanford's Basketball Team Shines in a Rivals' Duel

Early Game Dominance

Facing a hostile road crowd, Stanford set the tone early with a 7-0 run. Maxime Raynaud sparked the scoring with a three-pointer, sending a clear message to the Cal fans. This early burst gave the Cardinal a significant advantage and they maintained it for much of the first half. They extended the lead to as many as 11 points, shooting 48.9% from the field and converting all eight of their free-throw attempts. Cal struggled to keep up, shooting just 37.5% and missing all six of their three-point tries.The first half was a showcase of Stanford's offensive firepower and defensive tenacity. Jaylen Blakes and Maxime Raynaud were particularly impressive, each scoring 20 points and leading the team to a commanding 16-point lead at halftime. Blakes added six assists, a steal, and two blocks to his stat line, while Raynaud anchored the defense with five blocks.

Second Half Rally by California

In the second half, California improved their three-point shooting and mounted a late 24-12 run to pull within six points. Former Stanford guard Andrej Stojakovic led all scorers with 25 points and his dynamic play helped Cal claw back. However, Stanford's lead was too much to overcome and they continued to dominate, pushing their lead to 20 points with five minutes remaining.Stanford's players remained focused and composed throughout the game. Junior Oziyah Sellers and sophomore Ryan Agarwal were key contributors, scoring 16 and 11 points respectively while shooting 50% from three-point range. Their performances added to Stanford's overall success.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Stanford will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they host Merrimack on Dec. 17. The team will be looking to build on this momentum and continue their success in the upcoming games.Stanford's men's basketball team has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with. Their performance against California was a testament to their skill, teamwork, and determination. They will be looking to carry this momentum forward and make a name for themselves in the basketball world.