### Stanford's Freshman Star Ebuka Okorie Shines in Victory Over Montana State - In a thrilling nonconference matchup, Stanford's freshman guard Ebuka Okorie played a pivotal role in leading the Cardinal to a 77-68 victory against Montana State on November 13, 2025. This game marked Stanford's third consecutive win, improving their record to 3-0 for the season. Okorie's performance was particularly notable as he scored 21 points, with 15 of those coming in the second half, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. The game was tightly contested, with Montana State holding a 61-55 lead before Stanford surged ahead with a decisive 14-2 run to secure the win [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/ebuka_okorie_stanford_fend_off_montana_states_upset_bid/s1_17048_43060097][https://abc7news.com/post/okorie-has-strong-second-half-nets-21-points-rally-stanford-past-montana-state-77-68/18150049]. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Moments and Player Contributions 1. **Game Dynamics**: - Stanford initially struggled, trailing 61-55 with just over eight minutes left in the game. - A critical jumper by Chris Hodges tied the game at 63, followed by Okorie's three-point play that shifted momentum back to Stanford. - Benny Gealer's timely three-pointer extended Stanford's lead to six points, allowing them to maintain control until the final buzzer. 2. **Player Highlights**: - **Ebuka Okorie**: Scored 21 points, including 15 in the second half, along with three assists and three steals, continuing his impressive start to the season after scoring 29 points in the previous game against Montana [https://apnews.com/article/stanford-cardinal-mens-college-basketball-college-sports-college-basketball-0d39a6a958564671b9a7a8d09e523ad9]. - **Benny Gealer**: Contributed significantly with 16 points, including a crucial three-pointer that helped solidify Stanford's lead. - **Chisom Okpara**: Added 15 points, while AJ Rohosy chipped in with 13 points, showcasing a balanced offensive effort from the team. 3. **Season Context**: - This victory is part of a five-game homestand for Stanford, where they have shown strong performances, particularly from their freshman talent, Okorie, who has consistently scored over 20 points in his first three collegiate games [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/ebuka_okorie_leads_cardinal_past_grizzlies/s1_17686_43040786]. ### Statistical Overview and Performance Metrics - **Final Score**: Stanford 77, Montana State 68 - **Key Statistics**: - **Stanford**: - Points: 77 - Field Goals: 29/61 (47.5%) - Three-Point Percentage: 38.5% - **Montana State**: - Points: 68 - Field Goals: 25/60 (41.7%) - Three-Point Percentage: 30.0% - **Individual Performances**: - **Ebuka Okorie**: 21 points, 3 assists, 3 steals - **Benny Gealer**: 16 points - **Chisom Okpara**: 15 points - **AJ Rohosy**: 13 points [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/ebuka_okorie_stanford_fend_off_montana_states_upset_bid/s1_17048_43060097][https://abc7news.com/post/okorie-has-strong-second-half-nets-21-points-rally-stanford-past-montana-state-77-68/18150049]. ### Conclusion: Stanford's Promising Start to the Season - **Overall Performance**: Stanford's ability to rally from behind and secure a win against Montana State highlights their resilience and depth, particularly with the emergence of Ebuka Okorie as a key player. His consistent scoring and playmaking ability have been instrumental in the team's success thus far. - **Future Outlook**: As Stanford continues its homestand, they will look to build on this momentum and further develop their young talent, particularly Okorie, who has quickly become a standout player in the early season [https://apnews.com/article/stanford-cardinal-mens-college-basketball-college-sports-college-basketball-0d39a6a958564671b9a7a8d09e523ad9][https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/ebuka_okorie_stanford_fend_off_montana_states_upset_bid/s1_17048_43060097].