Photo credit: gostanford.com

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, February 18, 2018

There was no shortage of factors in the Stanford Cardinal’s 77-73 neighborhood rivalry in a Pac-12 showdown with the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion Sunday.

Individually, Reid Travis stepped up with a 6-of-13 shooting night to go with 10 rebounds, finishing with 13 points. Daejon Davis was 7-of-10 from the floor, 7-of-9 at the line, five assists and two steals. Davis turned the ball over seven times, but still led the Cardinal with 22 points, despite fouling out.

Dorian Pickens also had a strong outing with 17 points, 6-of-10 shooting, two 3-pointers, 3-of-4 at the line and four boards. Michael Humphrey chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds.

As a team, the Cardinal shot nearly 45 percent overall, 76 percent on free throws, and outrebounded Cal 45-37. This is important, because Stanford hasn’t been a consistent road team throughout the Pac-12 schedule.

That inconsistency nearly did the Cardinal in again, but Stanford overcame those tendencies down the stretch, earning its first win over the Bears in Berkeley in three years.

Cal’s press gave the Cardinal fits, forcing Stanford into 17 turnovers that the Bears converted into 21 points. The Cardinal had an eight-point lead late in the second half before the Bears tied it at 67-67 with 4:31 to play.

From there, Stanford put together a five-point run before Davis fouled out with 2:11 left. But Pickens sank a pair of free throws with 8.7 seconds remaining to give the Cardinal a split in the season series.

The win was important for another reason for Stanford – the Cardinal are tied with Washington in the Pac-12 race, trailing fourth-place Utah by a half-game. The top four teams earn a first round bye in the Pac-12 tournament.

Up Next: The Cardinal host Washington on Thursday with a chance make up more ground in the Pac-12 standings.