Stanford University’s men’s basketball team secured a 72-68 victory over Minnesota in the opening round of the Acrisure Invitational held in Palm Desert, California. With this win, Stanford improved its season record to 5-1 and advanced to the tournament’s championship game, where it will face Saint Louis.
Ebuka Okorie led Stanford with 25 points, his fifth game this season scoring at least 20 points. He shot 9-for-21 from the field, including two three-pointers, and added four rebounds. Benny Gealer contributed 14 points, making four shots from beyond the arc, along with five assists and four steals. Chisom Okpara also scored in double figures with 11 points. Aidan Cammann had nine points and led all players with seven rebounds, while AJ Rohosy added eight points on perfect shooting.
Stanford outperformed Minnesota on the boards, finishing with a plus-11 rebounding margin and collecting 17 offensive rebounds. This effort resulted in Stanford attempting 22 more shots than Minnesota during the game. The Cardinal also forced Minnesota into 14 turnovers and recorded 10 steals.
Minnesota took control early in the first half with a significant run that gave them a ten-point lead midway through the period. However, Stanford responded by closing the gap before halftime and trailed by just three points at intermission.
The second half saw Gealer hit consecutive three-pointers to give Stanford an early lead. The Cardinal maintained control for most of the final period and secured the win with key free throws in the closing minutes.
This victory marks Stanford’s first Thanksgiving Day win since defeating Old Dominion at the Puerto Rico Shootout in 2000. The team has now won two of its last three matchups against Minnesota dating back to their NIT Championship meeting in 2012.
Stanford is scheduled to play Saint Louis on Friday, November 28 at 4 p.m., with coverage available on TruTV.
