LAS VEGAS – Completing the second-largest come-from-behind victory in Pac-12 Tournament history, Stanford men's basketball stormed back from an 18-point deficit to defeat California in overtime, 87-76, at T-Mobile Arena.
The Cardinal ended the game on a 42-13 run over the final 19 minutes – 14 in the second half and the five-minute extra period. Stanford held the Golden Bears scoreless in the second half for a stretch of nine minutes and 25 seconds, ranging from 11:17 to 1:52 to make the game-tying run.
Maxime Raynaud led the offense with his 12th double-double of the season, ending the night with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Spencer Jones tallied his fourth 20-point game of the season, finishing with 20 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Angel added 16 points and eight rebounds, while Kanaan Carlyle scored 10. Benny Gealer chipped in four points and five assists with no turnovers.
The win was the largest comeback in tournament history for the Cardinal, topping its 17-point rally in the 2022 event that culminated in a buzzer beater from James Keefe over Arizona State. It is the largest for the Cardinal in any game since Jan. 31, 2004 when it rallied from 19 down against Oregon.
Cal led by 11 at the half despite 13 first half points from Raynaud, and led by 18, 63-45, with 14:36 left to play. The Cardinal put together an 18-2 run to pull within two points, 65-63, with 3:45 to go, led by six points from Spencer Jones and four points from Gealer. A layup from Brandon Angel kept Stanford within three points with 1:01 to play, and the Cardinal tied the game 43 seconds later, 69-69, after a steal from Gealer led to a triple from the top of the key from Michael Jones.
Stanford went 5-for-5 in overtime from the floor and 2-for-2 from 3-point range, outscoring the Golden Bears 18-7 in overtime. Angel's three to open the frame gave Stanford its first lead of the night, while five players scored overtime to clinch the win.
The Cardinal advances to the Pac-12 quarterfinals for the third consecutive season, and will take on second-seeded Washington State on Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m. on Pac-12 Network.