STANFORD, Calif. (AP) – Reid Travis scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half and Stanford made coach Jerod Haase a winner in his home debut with a 96-69 victory over Cal State Northridge on Tuesday night.
Haase, who began his college playing career at Bay Area rival Cal, came to Stanford after four seasons as coach at Alabama-Birmingham.
"It means everything to give him a win," Travis said, "especially all the work we've put in, just building that relationship with him and the coaching staff."
Haase called the experience "awesome."
"Had a blast. The thing that continues to stand out in my mind is how much I enjoy coaching these guys," he said. "They're so willing to learn and do what we ask of them."
Travis missed the final 22 games of last season with a stress fracture in his leg but has come out of the blocks fast. He had career highs of 24 points and 17 rebounds in the Cardinal's opening win over Harvard on Friday in Shanghai, China.
Against CSUN, the 6-foot-8 junior made 6 of 9 shots from the field and converted 7 of 10 free throws, a big improvement from his 10-for-19 effort at the foul line vs. Harvard.
Travis also showed the kind of hustle Haase was known for during his playing days at Cal and Kansas when he knocked over a half-dozen seats on the baseline while scrambling for a loose ball.
"It's definitely what he tries to instill to us," Travis said of the hustle. "Toughness is one of our standards. When we get on the court, it's full speed ahead."
Marcus Sheffield added 17 points, Josh Sharma scored a career-high 15 and Dorian Pickens had 14 for Stanford (2-0).
CSUN coach Reggie Theus said 20 turnovers were more than his team could overcome.
"We did a poor job of handling the double teams early in the game. That really got us off in the wrong direction," said Theus, adding that the Matadors' defense was sporadic. "A lot of times when things are not going well offensively, your defense suffers. That's the mark of a team still trying to become a good team."
Kendall Smith, who grew up an hour away from the Stanford campus, scored 17 points to lead CSUN (1-2).
Stanford now turns its focus to Weber State on Thursday (Nov. 17) at 7 p.m. at Maples Pavilion
Marcus Sheffield added 17 points, Josh Sharma scored a career-high 15 and Dorian Pickens had 14 for Stanford (2-0).
CSUN coach Reggie Theus said 20 turnovers were more than his team could overcome.
"We did a poor job of handling the double teams early in the game. That really got us off in the wrong direction," said Theus, adding that the Matadors' defense was sporadic. "A lot of times when things are not going well offensively, your defense suffers. That's the mark of a team still trying to become a good team."
Kendall Smith, who grew up an hour away from the Stanford campus, scored 17 points to lead CSUN (1-2).
