Stanford Falls To Colorado, Slim Hopes To Make Tournament Lost

Jan 24, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Xavier Johnson (2) reacts to his last second points scored at the end of the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Stanford Cardinal fell to the Colorado Buffaloes by the final fo 65-63.

Stanford struggled from the field and was only able to hit 39% from the field.  It was eventually what did them in, especially later on in the game.

Colorado also completed the season sweep of the Cardinal by winning the second game of the season between the teams.

Although Stanford outshot Colorado 45% to 22.2% from behind the arc, the Cardinal did not have enough in them to take the victory at home.

With the score at 63-59 and Colorado in the lead the Cardinal needed a stop to stay in the game.  Instead, with 28 seconds left, Dinwiddie gets a layup and then is hit with a technical foul.  Aaron Bright hit the the insuing free throw, then on the next Cardinal possession Dwight Powell missed a jumper with 18 seconds left and almost ended Stanford’s hopes completely.

However, right as the buzzer sounded Powell threw down a dunk and seemed to go in before the buzzer went off, but after review was rescinded so the game did not go into overtime.  Colorado took the win.

Forward Andre Roberson was by far the player of the game as he went for 24 points on 9 of 13 shooting and even hauled in eight rebounds.  He, along with guard Spencer Dinwiddie and his 19 points on 6 of 17 shooting were the difference for Colorado.

Even though Stanford got a great game from senior Andy Brown, tying his season-high in fact, it was not enough as some of the consistent players on the team were unable to produce.  Brown finished with a team high 17 points and even had 8 boards off the glass.  He was second only in that category to Josh Huestis who finished with nine rebounds, although he only scored four points.  Chasson Randle scored 16 points in the game and Dwight Powell scored 12 points to end the game to go along with his seven rebounds.

Stanford lost another close game and it seems to be the story of their season.  They have been on the wrong side of the those close games all season and in the end is hurting them.  They have all but lost their chance at making the NCAA tournament and at this point will be playing for pride and a shot at the NIT tournament once again.  It is still a great thing to play in that latter tournament, but in the end it will just not be the same as the ‘Big Dance’.  It is a heartbreaker but the guys will have to wait again until next year.