The Stanford Cardinal forward Oskar Giltay (15) drives to the basket against the UNLV Running Rebels at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Dec 7, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)
By Michael Roberson
STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (7-2) were unable to halt the visitors’ rebellion, in a 75-74 loss to the University of Nevada – Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels (4-5) inside the friendly confines of Maples Pavilion.
Senior guard Benny Gealer got the Day Party started with a 3-pointer to open the scoring advantage, in a tightly contested first 20 minutes of play. The Cardinal never trailed, although there were several (5) ties along the way. Both teams had significant runs: 5-0 for UNLV and 9-0 for Stanford.
The Cardinal parlayed that 9-0 run to their largest lead of the first half 9; 33-24). UNLV was not finished with their push, as they performed an additional 7-0 run, putting them within one, (37-36) with less than a minute before recess. Gealer converted two free throws to extend the lead to three. However, the Runnin’ Rebels had an answer to that, when sophomore center Emmanuel Stephen ended the half with a dunk, to cut the deficit to a lone point again, 39-38.
Redshirt-junior guard Ryan Argawal led the cardinal with 10 points, while as a team, they shot 41% from the floor and 33% from beyond the arc. The Runnin’ Rebels shot an impressive 53% from two, and 40% from Threeland.
At the midway point of the game, the Cardinal had a slim 1-point lead clutched by their branches, 39-38.
The second half had a huge momentum shift, as Stephen had consecutive baskets to end the first, and begin the second stanza. That bucket gave the Runnin’ Rebels their first lead of the game, and a great deal of confidence.
That was the first of nine lead changes for the Golden and Silver States’ battle. The game was also tied 13 times, to give the crowd of nearly 4,000 a nail-biting finish.
During the second 20 minutes of play, UNLV had a high of a three point lead, while Stanford was able to go up by as much as four, but they exchanged their advantages like a hot potato. The three point shooting for both teams was 30%; however, the equivalent fractions were at a different clip. UNLV was 3/10, while Stanford was 9/30. Same percentage, but an 18 point difference.. the Runnin’ Rebels made up for that disadvantage from deep, with 20 points (48:28) margin in the paint.
The free throw % was close, as both squads attempted 27 FTs, with Stanford’s 17 being one more than their Sin City opponent. Unfortunately for the Cardinal one free throw advantage was not enough when the final buzzer sounded.
With several crucial misses from the charity stripe on both sides, the game was in balance throughout the closing minutes. Clutch layups, jumpers, rebounds, and steals, made the ending so dramatic.
Less than 18 seconds left in regulation, Stanford tied the game at 74, on a Ebuka Okorie FT. With absolute irony in the Palo Alto air, UNLV was on the free throw line with 3.8 seconds left on the clock. Senior forward Kimani Hamilton stepped to the line, with all kinds of pressure on his shoulders. The crowd wanted him to miss for a dual reason. If he missed both, Stanford would not only have a chance to win in regulation or go to overtime, but they’d also get a food prize.
Whenever an opposing player misses consecutive free throws, the fans win a free hamburger from a popular nearby restaurant. Hudson really got the audience fired up when he missed the first FTA. To the dismay of the Cardinal faithful, he converted the second shot, which eventually became the GWFT.
With the Runnin’ Rebels up by one (75-74) with seconds left in the contest, Okorie’s desperation shot came up short, and the team from the entertainment desert got the upset win in the Bay Area. After 40 minutes of basketball action, UNLV won by the score of 75-74.
Stanford had three players reach double-digits scoring. Freshman sensation Ebuka Okorie led with 18 points, while Ryan Argawal chipped in 13 points, and Benny Gealer added 11 points. UNLV presented four double-figure hoopers.
Emmanuel Stephen topped the team with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn contributed 15 points and 5 rebounds, Kimani Hamilton offered 15 points and 4 rebounds, while Tyrin Jones put up 11 points for the team’s total.
The Cardinal is next in action Saturday, December 13 in the Capital City of the Silicon Valley, as they take on the San Jose State Spartans at 4 PM CT on CBSSN. UNLV returns to Las Vegas on the same date, to host Tennessee State Tigers at 6:30 PM PT at the Jack Jones Classic.
Sports Radio Service 