Both the Stanford Cardinal and Colorado State Rams were coming off of decisive wins in the first round of the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament, finding themselves squaring off at Maples Pavilion Tuesday night. The Rams were running on all cylinders in the first half, but slowed down considerably in the second, falling to the Card by the score of 64-52 in the second round of the tip-off tourney.
As a whole the Cardinal didn't shoot spectacularly, finishing 42% from the field, but did well to keep Colorado State silent offensively in the second half. The Rams took a 33-31 point lead into the locker room at halftime, but only managed 19 total points in the second half, finishing with a 34% field goal percentage on the night.
Senior Josh Owens led the way for Stanford (3-0), dropping 15 points in 31 minutes on 6 of 12 shooting from the field. Aaron Bright and Gabriel Harris added 12 apiece for the Card as well, while 3 of Harris' points came from a 70 foot buzzer beater at the half. Jarret Mann also added 7 points and 9 boards. As for sophomore Dwight Powell, who missed the first two games of the season with an ankle sprain, he played just five minutes off the bench with no points.
Stanford now advances to next week's semifinal round at the basketball mecca, Madison Square Garden, out in New York City. The Card will take on the winner of Wednesday's game between Oklahoma State and Texas-San Antonio.
Full box score can be found here.
The Card's next game comes on the road this Friday, Nov. 18 against the UC Davis Aggies at 7 p.m. PT, their first road game of the season.
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