STANFORD, Calif. – Ebuka Okorie established a school freshman scoring record with 36 points, fueling Stanford past No. 14/15 North Carolina 95-90 on Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion.
Okorie, who entered the game ranked eighth nationally in scoring, was once again the most dominant player on the floor. Producing his fourth 30-point outing over the last seven games, Okorie finished 12-20 from the field and 9-11 from the foul line while dishing out a season-high nine assists in 36 minutes. The 36 points are tied for 15th most in a game in program history.
Ryan Agarwal (7-11 FG) and Jeremy Dent-Smith (7-8 FG) both added 20 points, combining to make 13 three-pointers on 16 attempts and powering Stanford’s 16-28 performance from beyond the arc. Agarwal's mark was career-high, while Dent-Smith's total was a Division-I high in a Stanford uniform. The 16 made 3-pointers are tied for second-most in a single game in program history.
Okorie, who entered the game ranked eighth nationally in scoring, was once again the most dominant player on the floor. Producing his fourth 30-point outing over the last seven games, Okorie finished 12-20 from the field and 9-11 from the foul line while dishing out a season-high nine assists in 36 minutes. The 36 points are tied for 15th most in a game in program history.
Ryan Agarwal (7-11 FG) and Jeremy Dent-Smith (7-8 FG) both added 20 points, combining to make 13 three-pointers on 16 attempts and powering Stanford’s 16-28 performance from beyond the arc. Agarwal's mark was career-high, while Dent-Smith's total was a Division-I high in a Stanford uniform. The 16 made 3-pointers are tied for second-most in a single game in program history.
Stanford had three players with at least 20 points for the first time since Jan. 24, 2015 vs. Arizona State, when Anthony Brown, Chasson Randle and Stefan Nastic all eclipsed the 20-point threshold.
Riding its best start since a 15-4 debut during the 2019-20 campaign, Stanford (14-4, 3-2 ACC) beat its second ranked opponent of the season, having already outlasted No. 16/13 Louisville 80-76 at Maples two weeks ago. Currently ranked No. 69 in the NET, the Cardinal also secured its fourth Quad 1 victory in five attempts.
The Cardinal trailed for all but two minutes of the contest, taking the lead for good at 88-87 following a 3-pointer from Dent-Smith with 1:01 remaining. Agarwal contributed a triple 30 seconds later before free throws from Okorie and Benny Gealer put the game on ice.
Stanford shot 57.1 percent overall and held a 20-7 advantage in assists while producing its highest scoring output since a 99-68 rout of USC back on Feb. 10, 2024.
Every aspect of the offense flowed through Okorie, who is putting together one of the most prolific freshman seasons in program history. Okorie’s 367 points rank sixth on the Cardinal’s all-time rookie scoring list, with Todd Lichti’s school record of 516 during the 1985-86 campaign very much in play. The first player to reach the 30-point plateau against North Carolina this season, Okorie has now scored at least 20 points on 10 occasions.
North Carolina (14-3, 2-2) built a 47-45 edge at halftime, stretching its largest lead to 12 on two occasions midway through the period. The Tar Heels then maintained a double-digit lead for the first six minutes of the second half, extending to 63-51 with 15:19 to play.
Dent-Smith made five of his six 3-pointers in the second half, highlighted by a sequence of four straight triples that kept the Cardinal within striking distance.
Stanford picked up its second straight win over North Carolina, following last year’s 72-71 thriller in Chapel Hill thanks to Jaylen Blakes’ jumper with two seconds remaining.
The Cardinal now has the opportunity for a homestand sweep and welcomes No. 6/6 Duke to Maples on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Riding its best start since a 15-4 debut during the 2019-20 campaign, Stanford (14-4, 3-2 ACC) beat its second ranked opponent of the season, having already outlasted No. 16/13 Louisville 80-76 at Maples two weeks ago. Currently ranked No. 69 in the NET, the Cardinal also secured its fourth Quad 1 victory in five attempts.
The Cardinal trailed for all but two minutes of the contest, taking the lead for good at 88-87 following a 3-pointer from Dent-Smith with 1:01 remaining. Agarwal contributed a triple 30 seconds later before free throws from Okorie and Benny Gealer put the game on ice.
Stanford shot 57.1 percent overall and held a 20-7 advantage in assists while producing its highest scoring output since a 99-68 rout of USC back on Feb. 10, 2024.
Every aspect of the offense flowed through Okorie, who is putting together one of the most prolific freshman seasons in program history. Okorie’s 367 points rank sixth on the Cardinal’s all-time rookie scoring list, with Todd Lichti’s school record of 516 during the 1985-86 campaign very much in play. The first player to reach the 30-point plateau against North Carolina this season, Okorie has now scored at least 20 points on 10 occasions.
North Carolina (14-3, 2-2) built a 47-45 edge at halftime, stretching its largest lead to 12 on two occasions midway through the period. The Tar Heels then maintained a double-digit lead for the first six minutes of the second half, extending to 63-51 with 15:19 to play.
Dent-Smith made five of his six 3-pointers in the second half, highlighted by a sequence of four straight triples that kept the Cardinal within striking distance.
Stanford picked up its second straight win over North Carolina, following last year’s 72-71 thriller in Chapel Hill thanks to Jaylen Blakes’ jumper with two seconds remaining.
The Cardinal now has the opportunity for a homestand sweep and welcomes No. 6/6 Duke to Maples on Saturday at 3 p.m.