By Jerry Feitelberg
Palo Alto- The Stanford Cardinal play hosted to the Utah Utes Wednesday at Maples Pavilion. The Cardinal wanted to avenge the loss they suffered when they played Utah in Salt Lake City. Stanford came out firing. The built-up an eighteen-point lead. The young men from Utah finally got something going late in the first half and cut the deficit to twelve 34-22. The Utes gave the Cardinal a tussle in the second half. They outscored the Cardinal 40-36, and their defense gave the Cardinal fits. They put the clamps on Da Silva and Terry. Jaiden DeLaire came through in the last nine minutes of the game with nine points to help Stanford win.
The Cardinal, behind their star, Oscar Da Silva, raced out to an early 14-2 lead over the Utah Utes The Cardinal defense held the Utes to just 2 points in the first seven minutes of the game. The Cardinal increased the lead to eighteen 29-11. The Utes did not fold. They kept attacking the boards and were able to get back into the game. Stanford won the first half 34-22. Tyrell Terry connected on three threes for 9 points. Spencer Jones added six for the Cardinal. The leading scorers for Utah were Jaxon Brenchley with 7, and the big seven-foot center, Brenden Carlson, had 5.
The Utes came out firing to start the second half. They went on an 8-2 run the cut the deficit to six 36-30. Tyrell Terry connected on a couple of threes, and the Cardinal went up 48-37. The Utes came back, but the Cardinal refused to wilt. The Utes’ defense focused on stopping Tyrell Tyler and Oscar Da Silva. The strategy worked as Utah trailed by three 63-60 with 1:29 left. However, sophomore Jaiden DeLaire picked up the hit a three to put the Cardinal in the driver’s seat. Terry was fouled twice in the last minute of the game, and he made all four free throws. Utah scored a basket late in the half, but it was not enough. The Cardinal wins 70-62.
Game Notes and Stats- With the win, Stanford is now 19-9 overall and 8-7 in the conference. The Cardinal has three games left to play this year. They meet Colorado at home on Sunday. They finish the season against Oregon State and Oregon next week. Utah falls to 15-13 overall and 6-10 in the Pac-12.
Freshman Tyrell Terry led Stanford with 27 points. He made seven threes in eleven tries. Oscar Da Silva finished with 20. Jaiden DeLaire had 11, Spencer Jones 6. Utah had four players in double figures. Timmy Allen led Utah wit 17. Both Gach had 15, Jaxon Brenchley 13, and Branden Carlson 12.
As mentioned above, Stanford plays Colorado, ranked 21st in the country, Sunday after at Maples Pavilion. The game will start at 3 pm and will be televised on ESPNU.
