Stanford Cardinal Ebuka Okorie (1) drives towards the basket agianst the Clemson Tigers in the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Feb 4, 2026 in ACC action (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (14-9 3-7 ACC) suffered a cat attack inside Maples Pavilion, 66-64, with a loss to the Clemson Tigers (19-4, 9-1 ACC) in a “Hump Day”  conference night game.

Clemson started the game off with an immediate lead, as they converted a three-pointer.  However, Stanford did respond and fought hard to be in front at recess.  Although the Tigers led by nearly five times as many first half game clock ticks, the Cardinal found a way to be in front at halftime.

There were five lead changes and two ties within the initial 20 minutes of game action.  Both teams shot 100% from the charity stripe, while Stanford tallied 44% from the floor, and 27% from beyond the arc,  Clemson shot 41% and 36% respectively.

The only player on either squad to eclipse double-digit scoring was Cardinal freshman guard Ebuka Okorie, with his 12 points.  Stanford entered the locker room with a lead, due to the shooting prowess of redshirt-sophomore forward/center Aidan Cammann.  He hit a buzzer-beating jumper from the left side to put the home team up 32-30 at the midpoint of the game.

In the second half, Stanford was able to extend their advantage to six points early in the final half.  Clemson was not content with their position and clawed back into the lead, and the already back and forth contest was filled with added excitement.  Three more lead changes and six more lead changes occurred in the second stanza, providing a possible nail-biting finish.

With that being the scenario, the contest came down to free throw shooting.  In the final minutes of the game, the two teams who were perfect from the free throw line in the first half, both had crucial misses down the stretch in the second. half.

Stanford had two missed (1&!)s, which could have been four points added to their total.  Clemson missed two consecutive free throws to the delight of the Maples faithful, as they were rewarded a voucher for a free burger from a franchise restaurant, located across the Bay and US, as well as one on campus at the Stanford Mall.

Despite that gift from the visitors, they converted both free throws for their next opportunity at the line.  California (Mission Viejo) and redshirt-senior Nick Davidson calmly sank both of his attempts.  At the time, that appeared to be the game-winning points; however, they added two more free throws, which were proven to be the actual GW-FTs.  

Therefore, Okorie’s buzzer-beating layup was not a factor with the four free throw points cushion.  After 40 minutes of ACC regulation action, Clemson held on to win by two points, 66-64.

The aforementioned Cammann led all scorers with 19 points, and he chipped in 5 rebounds.  Okorie added six more to his halftime tally, and contributed 18 points for the Card.

Clemson presented three hoopers with double-figures to their names.  Nick Davidson put up 16 points and 7 rebounds in his homecoming in the Golden State.  Ace Buckner (11) and Chase Thompson (10) gave their contributions too.

The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, February 7, hosting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at 5 PM PT on ESPNU.  Clemson travels across the Bay on the same date and time, to take on the California Golden Bears on the ACC Network