Stanford Cardinal Dominate Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena
The Stanford Cardinal, ranked 6th, decisively outplayed the unranked Arizona State Sun Devils with a final score of 80-50. The Cardinal's season record now stands at an impressive 6-1, while the Sun Devils fall to a challenging 0-7.
From the opening quarter, the Stanford Cardinal set a strong pace with 21 points and maintained their lead throughout the game. Their offensive execution was sharp, reflected in their field goal percentage of 48 and free throw accuracy of 84 percent. The team's scoring was well-distributed across all quarters, with consistent contributions that led to their substantial lead.
The Cardinal's defense was equally formidable; they amassed a total of seven blocks and eight steals over the course of the game. This defensive pressure limited the Sun Devils' scoring opportunities significantly. The home team struggled to find their rhythm against Stanford's robust defense, managing only a field goal percentage of 29 and converting just half of their free throws.
Rebounding was another area where Stanford excelled; they dominated with a total rebound count of 49 compared to Arizona State's 33. This included an impressive number on both ends of the court: fourteen offensive rebounds which contributed to fourteen second-chance points and thirty-three defensive rebounds that helped minimize Arizona State’s opportunities for additional shots.
Stanford also showcased its teamwork through an outstanding number of assists—24 in total—which exemplifies their collaborative play style and ability to create scoring opportunities for each other. Their assist-to-turnover ratio stood at an efficient two-point-zero.
On offense, Stanford capitalized on turnovers by scoring nine points off them while also adding eleven fast break points which underscored their quick transition play from defense to offense. Furthermore, they dominated inside by notching forty-four points in paint against Arizona State’s twenty.
Arizona State did manage some resistance despite being outmatched; they recorded six steals and ten fast break points but were unable to sustain any momentum against Stanford’s relentless performance throughout all four quarters.
Looking ahead for fans eager to follow their team's progress: The next challenge for the Stanford Cardinal will be away against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center in Tuscon on January twenty-eighth at eleven AM Pacific Time. This encounter can be watched live on Pac-12 Network as both teams strive for victory in this anticipated conference matchup.