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>By Daniel Dullum
>Sports Radio Service
>Saturday, February 21, 2015
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>There might be something to pre-game pep talks after all.
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>Stanford Coach Johnny Dawkins brought in a trio of guest speakers prior to the Cardinal’s 72-61 men’s basketball victory over California on Saturday at Maples Pavilion. >
>One of them was former Stanford center Adam Keefe. Another was 49ers legend Ronnie Lott. Dawkins said afterward he thought it was “an appropriate time” to have Lott and Co. speak to his ballclub. >
>It must have worked, as the Cardinal led from start to finish before holding off a late Bears rally. The Bears (16-11 overall, 6-8 Pac-12) outscored Stanford 38-37 in the second half. >
>One of the keys to Stanford’s win was the return to form of Chasson Randle, who had been in a slump of late, especially on the road. Randle bagged 19 points, to go along with eight assists and three rebounds. >
>Besides Randle’s effort, it’s hard to overlook the contributions off the bench from Michael Humphrey, who scored 14 points (7 of 8 FG) and grabbed 11 boards. Anthony Brown was also instrumental, getting 16 points and 11 rebounds while hitting 3 of 5 from 3-point range. >
>The win also keeps the Cardinal (17-9 overall, 8-6 Pac-12) in the hunt for a potential first-round bye in the upcoming conference tournament in Las Vegas. Stanford was fifth in the Pac-12 standings going into Saturday’s contest, 1 1/2 games out of third. The top four teams get a first-round bye. >
>The Cardinal not only led from start to finish, they were up 15 with nine minutes remaining in the second half. Cal then caught fire, as David Kravish scored on two straight possessions and reserve Brandon Chauca sank a 3-pointer with 4:40 to play, cutting Stanford’s lead to 63-55. >
>Randle had a subpar night shooting, hitting 5 of 16 from the floor, but he sank a pair of free throws to stem Cal’s rally. On the Cardinal’s next possession, Randle found Stefan Nastic open for a layup to extend Stanford’s lead to 67-55. The Cardinal finished their scoring at the free throw line. >
>Stanford held the rebounding edge 38-25, and hit 44 percent from the floor and 5 of 9 3-pointers. >
>The Cardinal host Oregon State on Thursday.