Author: Sports Radio Service

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford takes commanding win over Cal 89-81 at Haas Pavilion

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) with arms out stretched tied as leading scorer with 20 points against the Cal Bears at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Dec 7, 2024

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (8-2) Maxime Raynaud converted almost 50% of his shots leading the Cardinal with 20 points he was getting the open shot quite often today against the Cal Bears (6-3).

#2 The Cardinal pretty much were having their way in the first half outscoring Cal 47-31.

#3 The Cardinal defense held the Cal Bears to single digits the Bears Andrej Stojakovic and and Javon Blacksher were the only two players to get into double figures.

#4 Talk about Stanford’s defense they were able to keep the Bears at arms length for most of the game. The closest that Cal they tied it up but just couldn’t take the lead at any point in the contest.

#5 Stanford hosts the Merrimack Warriors (3-6) at Maples Pavilion on Tue Dec 17th. Merrimack has won their last two games but lost six in a row before that. How do you see this match up on Tuesday night?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Soto breaks the bank signs an MLB record 15 year $765 million deal with Mets

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Juan Soto models his New York Mets uniform as he joins the Mets on a 15 year, $765 million contract he signed on Sun Dec 8, 2024 (photo by SNY)

Soto breaks the bank

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, Juan Soto, a free agent, signed a 15-year deal with the New York Mets for $765 Million. Soto, born in the Dominican Republic, now has the most significant contract in professional American sports, more than the previous holder of that distinction, Japanese two-way star LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, who recently won the NL Most Valuable Player for the third time.

Juan Soto beat Ohtani by $65 million. To put Juan Soto’s contract/salary in perspective, the Dominican Republic, where Juan Soto was born 26 years ago, on an island of 11 million people. The average salary in this Caribbean nation is $7,272 per year or about $606 per month.

However, if you think the Dominican Republic is the poorest island in the Caribbean, you are mistaken. Cuba, which is the largest island in the Caribbean, according to all available data, the average salary of a Cuban citizen is around $30 to $40 US dollars per month or roughly 4,000 Cuban Pesos per year.

The reason is straightforward: Cuba’s government is a communist system where the communist leaders set the wages, they put the prices, and they distribute the wealth. This was not the case for Cuba until 1960 when the island was one of the most prosperous and advanced countries in the Caribbean and all of Latin America.

Unsurprisingly, the Mets, not the Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Giants, or any other baseball team, signed Mr.Soto. It was the New York Mets, whose owner, Steven A. Cohen, is considered one of, if not the wealthiest, MLB owners, with an estimated net worth of $16 to 20 billion.

The news of Soto signing this incredible contract hit the Dominican Republic like a thunderbolt, and all the media reported it as Breaking News with great pride and admiration. One colleague from the Dominican Republic told me “Nos sentimos muy orgullosos de ser el pais con el pelotero con el salario más grande en la historia” Trans: “We feel very proud to be the country with the baseball player with the largest contract in history”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com weekly

Kings down Jazz 141-97 in blowout win

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) drives the lane as forward Domantas Sabonis (11) sets the pick and the Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (center) can’t reach Fox at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Dec 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Sunday night, returning home after a brief two-game road trip. Their journey took them through Memphis and San Antonio, where the Kings suffered a 115-110 loss to the Grizzlies but rebounded with a 140-113 victory over the Spurs on Friday night.

The win against San Antonio was much needed as the Kings fought to stay around the .500 mark. Focused and determined, the Kings entered Sunday’s game looking to win two in a row for the first time since November 4th and 6th. Coming into the matchup, the Kings (11-13) hosted the Utah Jazz (5-17) at 7 PM PST. The Kings ultimately dominated, defeating the Jazz 141-97.

In the first quarter, neither team played particularly clean basketball. The Kings committed three turnovers, giving up five points, while the Jazz had five turnovers, also resulting in five points. Kevin Huerter got off to a hot start for the Kings, shooting 3-of-4 and scoring eight points in the quarter. The Jazz struggled offensively, shooting just 35% and scoring 23 points. Meanwhile, the Kings managed 26 points to take a slim early lead.

The Kings brought strong energy into the second quarter, starting with an 8-2 run fueled by quick baskets from Keon Ellis and Kevin Huerter, prompting the Jazz to call a timeout with 10:10 left. The Kings didn’t let up for the rest of the quarter, outscoring the Jazz 36-22 to take a commanding 62-45 lead into halftime. Kevin Huerter led the Kings’ charge, while Keyonte George paced the Jazz with 14 points at the break.

It felt like a breakout half for the Kings, who needed to sustain their momentum in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings continued to pour it on offensively, outscoring the Jazz 43-29. The Kings appeared to have rediscovered their identity, scoring 140 points on Friday and putting up 105 through three quarters on Sunday—a welcome sight for fans. Heading into the final frame, the Kings led 105-74.

The fourth quarter could best be described as garbage time. The Kings extended their lead to as much as 44 points with 5:30 remaining. They outscored the Jazz 36-23 in the final period, sealing an emphatic 141-97 victory. Kevin Huerter led the Kings with 26 points, while Keyonte George topped the Jazz with 25 points in a losing effort. The Kings improved to 12-13 as the Jazz fell to 5-18 on the season.

After the game, coach Mike Brown praised the Kings’ ability to play at a high level, stressing the importance of committing to “every possession.” Brown repeated the phrase so many times during his postgame press conference that the media couldn’t help but chuckle as he asked, “Is that clear?” Message received, Coach. The question now is whether the Kings can build on this performance and go on a winning streak.

Fun Note: Doug McDermott gave fans a reason to cheer in garbage time, shooting 6-of-7 from three-point range.

Up Next: The Sacramento Kings will hit the road to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 5 PM PST. With Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram likely to be out, the Kings will need to capitalize on the opportunity.

Barracuda edge Firebirds 2-1 to sweep weekend series

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San Jose Barracuda forward Anthony Vincent (#76) battled for a puck alongside Coachella Valley Firebirds defenseman Cale Fleury during the blah blah’s 2-1 victory at Tech CU Arena on Sunday DEC 8, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Donovan Houle scored the game winning goal in the third period to give the San Jose Barracuda 2-1 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Sunday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose swept the weekend series and and has won five out of its past six games. Coachella Valley has lost five of its past six games.

Coachella Valley (11-8-1-2-25 points) drew first blood with an even strength goal near the halfway mark of the first period. Ville Ottavainen set up Nikolas Brouillard up at the point and the Firebirds defenseman blasted a slapshot past Cuda goalie Georgi Romanov for his second goal of the season at 9:36.

San Jose (14-6-0-1-29 points) scored the equalizer with a power play goal late in the opening frame. Shakir Mukhamadullin’s slap shot from the point was initially saved by Firebirds goalie Nikke Kokko, but the puck bounced out to Thomas Bordeleau who buried the rebound in for his fourth goal of the season at the 15:17 mark.

Tensions boiled over from last night as both teams danced the tango with the fisticuffs twice in the period. Tucker Robertson and Lucas Vanroboys fought at the 2:41 mark and then Ian McKinnon and Scott Sabourin battled it out on the ice with 24 seconds remaining.

“They (Coachella Valley) came out competitively tonight and I thought we matched them. I thought we responded appropriately. It’s good to take care of that side of it and get back to playing hockey,” Cuda head coach John McCarthy said.

Things calmed down in a scoreless second period. There were only two minor penalties in the penalty, both by San Jose. However, Coachella Valley weren’t able to cash in on either opportunity as once again the Barracuda penalty kill kept the Firebirds from taking the lead in the middle frame.

“You always talk about having your goalie be your best (penalty) killer. Askie (Yaroslav Askarov) has been huge for us. Tonight Gerogie (Romanov) was awesome. Also being on the same page and out competing their five guys with our four,” defensman Jimmy Schuldt said.

Houle’s game winning heroics for San Jose happened just past the halfway mark of the third period. Collin White sent the puck back up to the point. Mukhamadullin sent a wrist shot on net that was redirected by Houle that knuckleballed past Kokko for his fifth goal of the season at the 10:32 mark.

“I just tried to get to the net and get a stick on the puck,” said Houle on his game winning goal. “Luckily, I tipped it. It was a great feeling.”

Romanov (4-3-0) finished the game stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced to earn his fourth win of the season and jump over the .500 mark for the first time this season. Kokko (6-1-1) suffered his first regulation loss of the season as he made 36 saves on 38 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Coachella Valley was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Houle 2) Romanov 3) Bordeleau.

UP NEXT: San Jose begins a five-game road trip on Thursday 12/10 when they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds at 7:00pm at Acrisure Arena.

San Francisco Decimates Chicago 38-13; 49ers snap 3 game skid

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) rolls out against the Chicago Bears at Levi Stadium on Sun Dec 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After suffering two losses in the past couple of weeks playing on the frozen tundra of Green Bay and Buffalo, the San Francisco 49ers took the field Sunday against the Chicago Bears looking like Super Bowl contenders. They had it all going on offensively and defensively.

The Bears were outplayed at every turn. They did play a better second half but it was too little too late. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns.

The 49ers had three rushing touchdowns courtesy of Isaac Guerendo with two of them and Patrick Taylor Jr. with one. George Kittle finished the game with 151 receiving yards. Jauan Jennings received for 90 yards. The final was 38-13 in a most lop-sided game.

Game recap: San Francisco lost no time establishing the running game in the first quarter driving downfield on their first possession. Brock Purdy came out in this game firing on all cylinders connecting with Jauan Jennings for seven yards and the first score of the day 7-0.

The drive took all of 2 minutes and 20 seconds. The Niner defense was equally ready for this game forcing the Bears to go three and out twice in the opening quarter. The Bears had hit a brick wall in the first quarter unable to move the ball against the 49er defense.

They had a number of interception chances but came up empty. As the first quarter began to wind down, the 49ers struck again. Isaac Guerendo rushed for one yard and San Francisco’s first rushing touchdown of the game. They took a 14-0 lead into the second quarter.

The second quarter remained tough for Chicago as San Francisco continued to bulldoze their offense. They just couldn’t move the ball at all. The 49ers extended their lead 21-0, a 12 play, 71 yard drive culminating in a Brock Purdy 16 yard pass to Juan Jennings, his second touchdown of the day, and the 21-0 lead.

San Francisco was getting the job done in the air and on the ground a vast contrast to their last two outings. The first penalty of the game could not have come at a worst time for the 49ers. Ricky Pearsall was called for holding calling back San Francisco’s would be fourth touchdown of the game. Unable to find the end zone the 49ers were forced to settle for the field goal. Jake Moody kicked a 23 yard field goal for a 49er halftime lead of 24-0.

The first half stats were stunning. Brock Purdy finished the first half 16 of 18 with 258 passing yards and two touchdowns. San Francisco had a total of 65 rushing yards. George Kittle was having a banner game with 138 receiving yards after only the two quarters.

The Bears on the other hand had some miserable stats. Quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked four times erasing the 27 yards he passed for. Chicago had a total of seven rushing yards on four carries and 27 yards receiving. San Francisco had totally dominated the game from the very first play back in the first quarter and the Bears never knew what hit them.

The Bears were able to move the ball in the third quarter, on the ground and in the air. In their first third quarter possession they had already surpassed their entire first half passing and receiving stats.

They drove down inside the San Francisco ten yard line culminating in a Williams to Rome Odunze four yard pass. Odunze made an incredible catch in the corner of the end zone for the six points, their first of the day.

The two-point conversion attempt failed and Chicago was at least up on the scoreboard 24-6. San Francisco could not move the ball and Chicago was back in business on downs.

The third quarter ended quietly but the fourth started with a bang, a 49er bang, extending their lead to 31-6. Isaac Guerendo celebrated his second rushing touchdown of the game, a four yard scamper scored at 14:57.

The Bears answered at 11:48 when quarterback Caleb Williams connected with Rome Odunze (his second touchdown of the day) for 14 yards and the Cairo Santos kick was good. Trailing 31-13 in the final quarter, the Bears were faced with an impossible task.

That task became even more impossible when at 5:15 San Francisco scored their fifth touchdown of the day. Patrick Taylor Jr. rushed for three yards and this game was all but done with San Francisco leading 38-13. That would be the final score.

Despite missing some key players San Francisco did not miss a beat. They dominated from start to finish. Brock Purdy had an amazing game going 20 of 25 for 325 yards and two touchdowns. Juaan Jennings finished the day with two receiving touchdowns and Isaac Guerendo had two rushing scores.

San Francisco finally played the kind of game they had been searching for. They now have their work cut out for them and they will need some help. They looked like Super Bowl contenders in today’s game but it may prove to be too late with four games left in the season.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the 49ers were back home at Levi’s Stadium taking on the Chicago Bears. This game was played under sunny skies and 67 degrees a far cry from their last two games in Green Bay and Buffalo.

With this favorable weather conditions, San Francisco took the chance to get back on track despite being without some key players. Nick Bosa, Jordan Mason and Trent Williams will be out for this game and Christian McAffrey is out for at least the remainder of the regular season with a torn PCL suffered last week against Buffalo.

The Bears will be played under interim coach Thomas Brown who took over after the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus. This is the first time in franchise history that a Bear’s coach was fired mid-season. This firing came as a result of Chicago’s six game losing streak while San Francisco came into the season favorites to go back to the Super Bowl. Both teams are reeling from horrible setbacks this season.

Next Thursday night the nationally televised game will feature the San Francisco 49ers playing their rival the Los Angeles Rams. Sunday the Rams pulled an upset over the Buffalo Bills 44-42 giving Los Angeles a 7-6 record a full game ahead of the 49ers.

Right now there is a tie for third place in the National Football Conference between the 49ers and the Cardinals and Los Angeles has taken sole possession of second place. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for Thursday at 5:15 PM and can be viewed on Prime Video.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders once again run out of gas in 4th quarter lose in Tampa Bay 28-13; Raiders host Falcons on Monday Night Football Dec 16

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K’Lavon Chassion (44) puts the stop on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on Sun Dec 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) once again were on their opponents heels late in a game but once again the game got away from them in the fourth quarter. This time against the the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) the Raiders had a 14-10 but the Bucs pulled ahead with a touchdown in the fourth quarter that pretty much put the kibosh on any chance for the Raiders to come back losing to Tampa Bay 21-10.

#2 Once again the Raiders played a close game got a great performance from quarterback Aidan O’Connell didn’t throw anywhere close to 200 yards and if the Raiders were able to get just that much more offense just maybe they would have been able to get the lead.

#3 The Raiders scored only twice in the second quarter with O’Connell rushing for a one yard touchdown at 8:07 making it 14-7 and with a 25 yard field goal at 4:28 by kicker Daniel Carlson cutting Tampa Bay’s lead to four points 14-10 at the half..

#4 Fourth quarter the Bucs added Rachaad White carried for three yard touchdown to pull ahead 21-10, Carlson for the Raiders booted a 27 yard field goal 21-13 at 3:05 and the Bucs put the final touches on scoring for the afternoon with a quarterback Baker Mayfield 29 yard pass to Jalen McMillan 1:56 giving the Bucs a 28-13 win.

#5 Today’s loss is the Raiders eighth consecutive. This has been a struggling effort by the Raiders just to get back in the win column a place they have not been since Sep 29th when they defeated the Cleveland Browns. The Raiders take that eight game skid into their next game at Allegiant Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football on Dec 16th. The Falcons lost to the Minnesota Vikings today and the Falcons drop below .500 at 6-7. How do you see this game next week Monday?

Join Rich Perez for the Las Vegas Raiders podcast after every home and away games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Shovels scheduled to be in the ground by Spring 2025 for Vegas ballpark

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Athletics owner John Fisher visits with guests at a private party following the controlled implosion of Tropicana Las Vegas on Oct. 9, 2024. The site will be the home of a $1.75 billion baseball stadium. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)

On the Sacramento A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel A’s executive Sandy Dean produced four documents that the Las Vegas Stadium Authority needed to see to approve moving forward with sewing up the deal that would finance the A’s ballpark on the Las Vegas strip. The A’s have pledged up to $1.5 billion for their share of the construction costs. The cost had increased to $1.75 billion.

# 2 A’s owner John Fisher and his family will be responsible for $1.4 billion of the cost. Dean said that the Fisher family will be able to pay and be committed to meeting those costs.

#3 The Las Vegas Stadium Authority have approved lease, non-relocation, development and community benefits agreements.

#4 Since June 2023 when the A’s announced that they had a binding deal with the Rio in Las Vegas and later relocating to the Tropicana this had been tumultuous relocation for all involved. It’s not the outcome that Oakland fans would have wanted but none the less the A’s have got that much closer to getting shovels in the ground.

#5 Ironically the agreements with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority came on the same day the A’s signed one of their biggest deals with former New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino to a three year $67 million deal.

#6 Daniel looking back on this deal what made it interesting for the A’s was it MLB waving the relocation fee that help persuade the A’s to leave Oakland and the fifth largest market in exchange for moving to baseball’s smallest TV market Las Vegas?

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s relocation podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Askarov is masterful with 36 save performance in Barracuda’s 1-0 shutout win over Firebirds

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San Jose Barracuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov enjoyed the moment when the fans threw stuffed animals on to the ice during the annual Teddy Bear Toss Game at Tech CU Arena on Saturday DEC 7, 2024. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda has accomplished something they could not do at all last season. Defeat the Coachella Valley Firebirds twice in one season.

Lucas Vanroboys scored the only goal in the game as Cuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov made 36 saves en route to a 1-0 shutout victory over their Pacific Division rival from the desert on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

Askarov (8-3-1-2) earned his third shutout of the season and lowered his goals against average to 1.75.

“It was kind of a slow start from us and after we just got better and better by the minute…It’s always fun to win the game, it’s even better when it’s a shutout too,” Askarov said.

San Jose has won four of its last five games. Coachella Valley has lost four of its past five games.

It was the annual Teddy Bear Toss Night at Tech CU Arena where fans threw stuffed animals on to the ice after the first goal is scored by the home team.

The fourth line magic continued for San Jose (13-6-0-1) late in the first period. Lucas Carlson picked the pocket of a Firebirds defenseman inside their own zone. Carlson set up Scott Sabourin in the slot. Sabourin’s shot was stopped but not controlled by Firebirds goalie Ales Stezka. Vanroboys became the hero of the night when he tapped in his second rebound chance into an empty net for his fifth goal of the season at the 17:26 mark.

“That was a good game,” said Vanroboys. “It kind of felt like a playoff game, good crowd today which was awesome. It was two good teams going at it.”

The game was delayed as thousands of teddy bears rained down on the ice from the 3,208 fans in attendance. It began the first intermission as the teams headed into their locker rooms while the Barracuda staff cleaned up all the stuffed animals off of the ice. The teams returned to the ice to play out the final 2:34 of the opening frame before starting the second period.

Coachella Valley (11-7-1-2) controlled play for the first eight minutes of the opening frame but weren’t able to get a puck past Askarov despite registering 12 shots on goal with multiple scoring chances.

The scoreless middle frame featured the Firebirds outshooting the Barracuda by a two-to-one margin, 14-7. Despite having two power play opportunities, Coachella Valley were kept off the board by Askarov and San Jose’s penalty kill.

“As far as the game went, I thought we did a lot of good things. And then there were sometimes where I felt we got really hemmed in. But I felt like we really buckled down and kind of came together as a group and figured it out,” Cuda head coach John McCarthy said.

San Jose held down the fort in the scoreless third period. Firebirds coach Derke Laxdal pulled Stezka with 3:26 remaining in the game to give Coachella Valley a full two-minute of six on four as Ethan Frisch went to the sinbin for tripping. It was all for not as the Firebirds left the building frustrated with a goose egg as they fell behind two points in the standings to the Barracuda.

Stezka (5-7-2) made 29 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-2 on the power play. Coachella Valley was 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Askarov 2) Vanroboys 3) Carlson.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Coachella Valley conclude their two-game weekend series on Sunday 12/8 at 3:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford takes commanding win over Cal 89-81 at Haas Pavilion

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) with arms out stretched tied as leading scorer with 20 points against the Cal Bears at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Dec 7, 2024

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (8-2) Maxime Raynaud converted almost 50% of his shots leading the Cardinal with 20 points he was getting the open shot quite often today against the Cal Bears (6-3).

#2 The Cardinal pretty much were having their way in the first half outscoring Cal 47-31.

#3 The Cardinal defense held the Cal Bears to single digits the Bears Andrej Stojakovic and and Javon Blacksher were the only two players to get into double figures.

#4 Talk about Stanford’s defense they were able to keep the Bears at arms length for most of the game. The closest that Cal they tied it up but just couldn’t take the lead at any point in the contest.

#5 Stanford hosts the Merrimack Warriors (3-6) at Maples Pavilion on Tue Dec 17th. Merrimack has won their last two games but lost six in a row before that. How do you see this match up on Tuesday night?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal Trapped the Bears in Battle of the Bay & ACC Opener, 89-81; 1st conference game for both

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Stanford Cardinal guard Jaylen Blakes (21) directs his teammates against the Cal Bears at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Dec 7, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (8-2, 1-0 ACC) opened their inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference season with a victory over their Cross-Bay rival California Golden Bears, 89-81, on Saturday Afternoon in the East Bay.

The Cardinal came out aggressively in Bear Territory and carried that all throughout the 40-minute contest. They also achieved the coveted 50/40/90 statline. They shot 53% from the field, 48% from beyond the Arc, and 90% from the charity stripe.

They opened the game on a 7-0 start., in which senior forward Maxime Raynaud had five of them. He hit a three to produce the game’s first points, then added another bucket during their initial run.

Stanford led by as much as 16 points; however, Cal actually tied the game at 29, at the 4;53 mark of the first half. Stanford immediately responded to that with a 9-0 run on three 3-pointers by Jaylen Blakes (2) and Oziyah Sellers (1).

The Cardinal extended that advantage by seven by the end of the first 20 minutes/ At intermission, Stanford led 47-31. The Cardinal defense (tree) forced the Bears to shoot 38% from the field and 0% from Threeland. Cal also had 0 assist in the first segment of the game.

Three Stanford players reached double-figures by recess. Blakes (14), Raynaud (11) and Sellers (10) were the select few to eclipse that plateau. In a bit of irony, Cal’s only player to join the 10+ club, was former Cardinal hooper, Andrej Stojakovic. He transferred across the Bay after one year on the Farm. Coincidentally, his present coach, Mark Madsen, is also a former Stanford Cardinal.

In the second half, Cal scored the first bucket, but Stanin into a single digit deficit.ford was able to balloon the lead all the way to 20 points.late in the second half. The Bears did claw their way back into again in the second 20 minutes. They had a 9-0 run of their own to get them within a single digit (6) deficit. They also outscored the Cardinal by eight in half number two. However, wihen they trailed by 16 at intermission, making up eight points only cuts the gap in half.8-point win.

At the final whistle, Stanford settled for a victory of less than 10 points, but imitated their football brethren (Syracuse) and won their first ACC game ever on the road in a hostile environment.

The Cardinal are 1-0 in the opposite coastal ACC, and also has bragging rights for capturing the first half of the Battle of the Bay, 89-81.

Raynaud produced 20 points and prevented 5 shots with his hands. Blakes pitched in 20 points, 6 assists and 2 blocks. Sellers offered 16 poins, while both Ryan Agarwal (7 rebounds) and Chisom Okpara both gave 11 points to the team.

Stojakovic led all scorers with 25 points against his former school, while Jovan Blacksher Jr. scored 14 and Mady Sissoko tallied 11 points and 8 rebounds.

Stanford will next be in action Tuesday, December 17 at Maples hosting non conference opponent Merrimack Warriors at 7:00 PM PDT on ACC Extra/ESPN+.

Cal; will host the Cornell Big Red on Tuesday, December 10, at 7:00 PM PDT. also on ACC Extra/ESPN+