Stanford routs Colorado to take Pac-12 lead
By Bi Yu
1/14/12 Palo Alto, Calif. -- Stanford Cardinal (15-3, 5-1) moved atop the Pac-12 conference with a 84-64 win over the Colorado Buffaloes (11-6, 3-2) at Maples Pavilion. The Cardinal shot 52.9% from the field for the game and held Colorado to 42% from the field.
Freshman guard Chasson Randle paced Stanford with 18 points and 5 rebounds. Sophomore reserve Josh Huestis, who had back-to-back career scoring nights, finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks in 23 minutes.
“It’s all about a confidence. Being ready when my number is called,” 6-foot-7 Huestis admitted. “I’ve been working hard. I know that when i go in there, the first things I can contribute is rebounding and defense. Everything falls into place after that . I get a couple of shots falling, the confidence starts to build and I just play my game.”
Randle kept Stanford in the game with 11 first-half points nailing three triples to give Stanford a 39-33 half-time lead. With 13:31 remaining in the game Randle hit his Fourth trey to start a 24-3 run in the second half where the Cardinal climbed to a 27 point lead with 7:47 left in the game. Stanford coasted the rest of the way.
Stanford’s defense was strong in the second half, shutting the Buffaloes down to 33.3% shooting. Colorado had balanced scoring with four starters in double-figures. Sophomore slasher Andre Roberson led Colorado with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Austin Dufault (14) points and Carlon Brown (13) and Spencer Dinwiddie (11) were the others.
“We stepped out our defensive intensity and executed on offense. It’s that simple,” Randle suggested. “They are a good team and they played their hearts out. I think we just had a little bit more edge tonight.”
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