The Stanford Cardinal (14) takes a jump shot against the Washington Huskies at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Jan 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — Senior Spencer Jones’ career-high 30 points & tied school record 8 Threes helped the Stanford Cardinal (10-8, 5-3 Pac-12) stave off the charging Washington Huskies (11-8, 3-5 Pac-12). 90-80 on a wet evening on the Farm.

Stanford converted the opening basket of the game within the first 15 seconds of play. However, Washing trumped that with a three to take their only lead of the game at 3-2 (19:28).

The Huskies attempted to get over the hump the rest of the half and beyond. They made 9 of the 10 free throw attempts, while the Cardinal had no gift shots. Stanford 7/15 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes, which superseded the FT disparity. Stanford was in front by as many as 13 points.

By the time the recess whistle sounded, the Cardinal had an eight point lead, 39-31. Neither team had a player reach the double-figure plateau. The Jones Brothers (Spencer & Michael) both had 8 points to lead the Cardinal, while the Huskies were led by junior forward Wilhelm Breidenbach with 8 points and 5 rebounds.

At the midway point of the contest, Spencer had a pedestrian two made treys. That changed dramatically over the final 20-minute stanza.

In the second half the Huskies continued to try and chip into the lead, but trailed by 14 late in the game. Every attempt to tie the game and/or take the lead, Spencer Jones had the answer.

Jones hit 6 three-pointers in the second half; even more so, timely shots. Washington was gaining momentum, and had possession of the ball down two. They didn’t convert, then Spencer drilled a Dagger 3 to stop them in their tracks.

Washington continued to attack their conference foes, barrage of bombs from threeland and 21 made free throws, exclusively in the second half, were too much for the hoopers from the Great Northwest.

At the final buzzer, the home team won by 10, 90-80, and put themselves in a good position in the conference standings.

Besides Spencer, three other teammates reached double digits in scoring. Kanaan Carlyle had 16 points and 5 assists. Michael Jones and Brandon Angel both contributed 13 points.

Washington offered to that category, including two with double-doubles. Keion Brooks Jr. (20 points/11 rebounds), Moses Wood (19), Breidenbach (12/10), Sahvir Wheeler (12) and Paul Mulcahy (10).

The Cardinal are next in action Friday, January 26, as they travel to Berkeley for Part 1 of the Battle of the Bay versus California at 7 PM PDT on FS1. Washington heads back to Seattle to host the Colorado Buffaloes on Wednesday, January 24 at 8 PM PDT on ESPNU.