Stanford (2-0) used a 50 point second half punctuated by 10 three point makes to run away from Cal State Fullerton (0-2), 80-53.
The first half was choppy, sloppy, and generally forgettable. The Cardinal trailed by as many as 11 points, in large part thanks to a more than 10 minute field goal drought. But they methodically found a way to stay within striking distance and chip away at the Titan lead.
“The message was don’t be outcome oriented,” said senior point guard Jaylen Blakes. “Stay true to who we are. Shots will eventually fall because we put the work in and we got good shots.”
The two teams combined for 26 fouls, 15 turnovers, and only 13 field goals in the first half. Stanford was able to hang around thanks to holding Fullerton without a field goal for the final 12:04 of the period.
With the clock ticking under 30 seconds in the frame, Maxime Raynaud lined up a three from the top of the arc and coolly knocked it down, holding up his thumb and two fingers in a European three. The shot gave Stanford a 3 point lead into the break, and proved to be the start of a flurry.
The teams traded baskets out of the locker room before Benny Gealer flipped a switch. The junior guard who Kyle Smith describes as the best shooter he’s ever coached has a green light. A very green light. After only taking one shot in the first half, he was determined to make a bigger splash in the second.
Benny made a tough, long two off the bounce from the corner, in front of his bench. The very next possession he hit a deep three from the left wing. After Chisom Okpara hit a three on the next possession, Benny Gealer hit another from way outside the arc. A couple minutes later, he hit an even deeper one. And another. And then another. And then he drained a heat check that would make Steph Curry blush.
“Once you hit one of them, you’re just in that flow state,” said Gealer. “I know I’ve put in the work. I think to myself, if I’m open and I’ve got my feet under me, just let it go. The hoop felt a little bigger.”
Benny went 6-6 on threes in the second half, and 7-7 overall from the field, good for a career high 20 points. Derin Saran scored his first Stanford points with a three of his own, while redshirt sophomore Ryan Agarwal added a pair.
“Ryan’s understanding what it takes to play extended minutes,” said Coach Smith. Agarwal played a career high 28 minutes, finishing with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block. “At practice he’s been our second best rebounder,” Smith added.
Another key to breaking out of the offensive stagnation of the first half was the penetration of Jaylen Blakes. Jaylen’s defensive intensity has found a way to spark transition offense from Stanford, but he really unlocks things when he’s able to get downhill in the half court. In the early season he’s shown a strong ability to finish at the rim, as well as make plays for others. Through two games Jaylen is 8-9 on two point field goals and has 11 assists against just 1 turnover.
In the closing minutes of the game, freshman big Tallis Toure got his first collegiate points on a tip-in and the bench went wild. This early season schedule is great for building out depth and giving guys opportunities.
Benny Gealer led the team with his 20 points, all after halftime. Jaylen Blakes also had a career high in scoring, with 18 points and 5 assists. Chisom Okpara had 10 points and 6 rebounds. Maxime Raynaud did not have his sharpest offensive night, but he finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 steals. Maxime draws a lot of attention, and he has been good about making the right pass this year. His defense also seems to have taken a step forward.
The Cardinal defense was stellar throughout. They held Fullerton to 32% from the field and 25% from three, averaging 0.84 points per possession largely on the back of free throws. For the game, the Titans mustered only 13 field goals and just 2 assists. Even players who did not have their best offensive games, like Oziyah Sellers or Maxime Raynaud, were excellent on the defensive end.
This game taught us plenty about this new Stanford squad. They trailed by 11 points, were deep in foul trouble, and ice cold from the field. Nothing seemed to be going their way. But their demeanor never changed.
“When the going gets tough, and you face adversity, a lot of times people tend to become individuals,” said Jaylen Blakes. “We became a team.”