Stanford Cardinal guard Ebuka Okorie (1) drives the Portland State Vikings at Stanford University in Palo Alto on Tue Nov 4, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)
By Michael Roberson
STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-0) opened up their 2025-26 Men’s Basketball season with a fortified blockade (Trees) against the Portland State Vikings (0-1), 89-79, inside Maples Pavilion.
Stanford scored the first points of the game, with a bucket by freshman guard Ebuka Okorie. However, both teams had significant runs in the first half.
The Vikings immediately went on an 8-0 run, putting them ahead by six, early in the contest. The Cardinal responded expeditiously with a 9-0 run of their own, putting themselves back on top. They also eventually led by six points.
As the first half progressed, Portland State continued to fight back, but could regain their last lead (8-7) during the first 20 minutes of play.. Although they did involve their squad in three first half ties with the home team.
By the time both combatants reached recess, Stanford had upped their lead to seven, 37-30. The Cardinal forced 13 turnovers on the Vikings, while they gave away six of their own.
Leading the way for Stanford was the aforementioned Okorie, with 16 points. No hooper from PSU eclipsed double-figures; however, their senior guard Jaylin Henderson was close with nine points at the half.
The second half started with another run. The Cardinal came out of the locker room on a mission. They scored seven straight points to begin stanza number two, while also doubling the lead from the first half. That was near their largest advantage (15) of the entire game in a matter of minutes..
Despite those significant leads by the Cardinal, the Vikings continued to grasp and close the double-digit margin before the final whistle. They chopped the lead into single digits several time, but could not get over the hump again, especially in the second half. Big shots by the Cardinal offense and their intense defense down the stretch sealed the contest in the closing minutes.
After the required 40 minutes elapsed, the Palo Alto Players bested the pillagers from the Beaver State by 10 points, 89-79.
Four baller scored over 10 points for the Cardinal, including the freshman sensation Ebuka Okorie, who led all scorers with 26 points and an impressive seven rebounds. Senior forward Chisom Okpara tallied 21 points, Sr. guard Jeremy Dent-Smith (14), and fellow senior guard Benny Gealer chipped in 12 points and garnered five steals.
PSU had three players reach that plateau. Junior guard Sebastian Tidor led the Vikings with 22 points and seven rebounds. Senior guard Jaylin Henderson dropped 19 points and senior forward Terri Miller Jr, contributed 14 points and four assists.
The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, November 8, @ Maples, hosting the Montana Grizzlies at 7 PM PT on ACC Extra. Portland State heads back to Oregon to host NW Indian College, Friday, ,November 7, also at 7 PM PT, but on ESPN+.
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