Stanford Cardinal head coach Kyle Smith etched his name into college basketball history on Monday, securing his 300th career victory with a 74-65 win over Eastern Washington at Maples Pavilion. The milestone came after a gritty defensive performance that neutralized the Eagles’ size advantage, allowing Stanford to claw back from a 13-point first-half deficit. Julius Price led the charge with 17 points, proving decisive in the final minutes as the Cardinal executed a crucial 10-0 run to break the game open.
Julius Price and a late 10-0 run seal milestone victory in Bay Area showdown
The contest remained tight through the second half, with Eastern Washington’s Alton Hamilton IV hitting a jumper to give the visitors a 65-64 lead with 2:45 remaining. However, Stanford’s composure shone in the closing stretch. Nick Townsend answered with a go-ahead layup, followed by a steal and score from Aziz Olajuwon to push the lead to 68-65. An Eastern Washington turnover immediately followed, and Price converted the mistake into a layup, igniting the final run that sealed the win.
Beyond the milestone, the game highlighted the depth of Stanford’s roster. Aidan Cammann contributed 13 points, while Townsend added 12. Olajuwon, son of Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, was a disruptive force on the defensive end with six steals alongside his 12 points. Coach Smith acknowledged the physical nature of the opponent, noting that the Eagles’ size and intensity tested the Cardinal early, but the team’s resilience in the fourth quarter defined the victory.
Source: Yahoo Sports
