Stanford Cardinal guard Jeremy Dent-Smith throws the ball with a big smile in front of the San Jose State Spartans bench at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose on Sat Dec 13, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (8-2) invaded the South Bay campus of the San Jose Spartans (5-6) and handed them a 86-82 loss in the Santa Clara County Clash.

The Cardinal wasted no time jumping all over their regional neighbor.  They lad by as many as 14 points in the first half, with the assistance of a 6-0 run.  This was accomplished without the services of their freshman sensation, Ebuka Okorie.

Okorie was held out of the game with a reported lower body injury.  The team’s leading scorer (21) and assists (3.1) guy was apparently not needed for the dispatching of the Spartans. Stanford controlled the first 20 minutes of the game, never trailing or tied.

At recess, the visitors from Palo Alto led by eight points, 44-36.  Two of their players reached double-figures.  Senior forward Chisom Okpara led with 13 points, senor guard Jeremy Dent-Smith added 11 points to the Cardinal total.

The Spartans only presented one player to reach the aforementioned plateau.  Senior forward Yaphet Moundi led his squad with 10 points.

In the second half, Stanford increased their single-digit halftime advantage to a high of 14 points, although SJSU did cut the deficit to four points midway through the second stanza..

The Cardinal immediately went on a 7-0 run over 1:29 span, putting them back up by 11.  The lead did reach 14 points, as it did in the first half.

The Spartan did try to utilize their swords and shield to knock over the mighty Tree, but the Cardinal seemed to have an answer for every SJSU run.  They cut it to two a couple of times, but Stanford had the every time..

The crucial sequence was a turnover by SJSU with 7 seconds left in regulation.  Gealer was fouled with 3-6 seconds left.  His clutch free throws sealed the game, and gave the Cardinal a four point victory, 86-82.

Okpara and AJ Rohosy both led the Cardinal with 20 points each, while Den-Smith added 16 and Agarwal chipped in 11.  SJSU was led by Moundi’s 26 points and 5 rebounds, and Colby Garland 20 points 9 assists, , in addition to Adrian Myers contributing 14 points.

The Cardinal will next be in action Wednesday, December 17, as they host UT-Arlington at 7 PM PT on ACCNX.  The Spartans travel to the Southwest to take on New Mexico Saturday, December 20, at 6 PM PT on MWN.