UCLA Bruins guard Lazar Stefonovic (10) defends against the Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) in first half action at Pauly Pavilion in Los Angeles on Wed Jan 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, January 4, 2024

Timely 3-point shooting by Andrej Stojakovic and Kanaan Carlyle in the second half put Stanford ahead, and the Cardinal hung on for a 59-53 Pac-12 men’s basketball win over UCLA Wednesday at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.

Carlyle made a trey with 14:32 remaining to tie the game at 36-36. Nearly two minutes later, Stojakovic sank a corner 3 to put the Cardinal (7-6 overall, 2-1 Pac-12) ahead 39-36. Carlyle made another 3-pointer at 11:41, giving Stanford a 42-36 lead.

The Bruins (6-8 overall, 1-2 Pac-12) pulled to within three points three times, but got no closer. Spencer Jones sank two free throws with 24 seconds to play, giving the Cardinal their largest lead at 58-47.

Carlyle led Stanford with 17 points, four assists and two steals while making 3 of 5 3-point attempts. Maxime Raynaud grabbed nine rebounds.

Sebastian Mack was UCLA’s top scorer with 14 points, followed by Berke Buyuktuncel with 13 and Adem Bona with 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals. The Bruins led 30-26 at halftime and outrebounded Stanford 36-30.

The Bruins suffered through a horrendous shooting night. After starting the game hitting 8 of 9 from the field, UCLA wound up making 32.8 percent (19 of 58). UCLA had a 17-minute stretch, starting in the first half, where it made only three baskets.

Stanford visits Southern California on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is at 1 p.m.