CHAPEL HILL, N.C. —Sophomore KZ Okpala and freshman Cormac Ryan combined for 30 points to lead Stanford, but the Cardinal could not overcome an early cold-shooting spell in a 90-72 setback to No. 7 North Cardinal Monday night on Roy Williams Court at the Dean E. Smith Center.
Okpala finished with 16, Ryan added 14, and sophomore Oscar da Silva chipped in 11 for the Cardinal (2-1), which fell for the first time this season. Monday's defeat closed a two-game trip to the Tar Heel State that also included a 72-59 victory over UNC Wilmington this past Friday.
Stanford connected on just one of its first 11 field goals and fell behind early. Meanwhile, North Carolina (3-0) shot the ball well from the start, jumping out to a double-digit lead midway through the first half.
Stanford cut it to 13 (33-20) on an Okpala dunk and a Ryan three-pointer with 6:08 to go in the first half. However, the Tar Heels went on a run in the final minutes of the half, out-scoring the Cardinal 19-6 over the final six minutes of the opening period. UNC shot 60 percent (21-of-35) in the first half, taking a 52-26 lead into the break.
Stanford regrouped at halftime, out-scoring North Carolina 46-38 in the second half. An Okpala three-point play capped a 6-0 run that brought the Cardinal to within 15 (85-70) with three minutes to play. Stanford could not get any closer the rest of the way, however, dropping the 90-72 decision.
Okpala scored nine of his team-best 16 points after halftime, finishing one rebound shy of his second double-double of the season. Ryan connected on four three-pointers in the contest, while dishing out a season-best six assists. da Silva scored all 11 of his points in the second half, while collecting seven rebounds against the Tar Heels. Freshman Lukas Kisunas logged his most extensive minutes as a Cardinal, playing 12 minutes in the second half with four rebounds and two points.
Cameron Johnson's 17 points led the way for the Tar Heels, while Luke Maye added 16 points and eight rebounds in the UNC win.
After two games in the state of North Carolina over the past four days, Stanford returns West. The Cardinal will host Wofford on Friday at 7 p.m. at Maples Pavilion.