SAN JOSE, Calif. — In a recent matchup, Kwame Evans Jr. led the way for the No. 10 Oregon Ducks with a team-high 13 points, primarily from the free-throw line, as they secured a decisive 76-61 victory over the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday night.
Evans achieved his scoring total by making 10 free throws and only netting one field goal, a 3-point shot. The Ducks showcased a well-rounded offensive performance, with Jackson Shelstad contributing 10 points. A total of nine Oregon players were able to score five points or more, highlighting the team’s depth and versatility as they improved their record to 11-1.
On the other side, Maxime Raynaud shined for Stanford, recording 20 points and 13 rebounds. Unfortunately for the Cardinal, this loss halted their three-game winning streak. This matchup marked a significant occasion as it was the first nonconference game between these two former Pac-12 rivals since 1967, a notable historical moment as Oregon is now a member of the Big Ten and Stanford represents the ACC.
During the game, Oregon took control with a 16-3 scoring run in the first half, establishing an 11-point lead that they maintained throughout the second half without facing major challenges from Stanford.
In terms of takeaways from the game, the Ducks enjoyed their highest ranking since 2020 and remained perfect in their nonconference slate with this convincing win. Conversely, Stanford, led by first-year coach Kyle Smith, seemed to struggle against an opponent of Oregon’s caliber, despite their strong start to the season.
A pivotal moment occurred late in the first half when Stanford cut the deficit to eight points. However, Oregon responded decisively with a 9-0 burst over the last six minutes, closing the half at a commanding 36-19 lead.
Moreover, a critical statistic emerged from the game: the Ducks limited Stanford to only 8-for-30 from beyond the arc and outperformed them at the free-throw line, scoring 22 points compared to Stanford’s 7.
Looking ahead, Oregon will host Weber State on December 29, while Stanford will make their way to Clemson on January 1 for their second game in the ACC.