College basketball roundup: Stanford men roll past Rice; Santa Clara women overpower Long Beach State

In a dominating display, Stanford's men's basketball team overcame Rice with a score of 91-73 on Monday night. The Cardinal (3-0) showcased their prowess early, securing a 45-29 halftime lead and extending their lead to 30 midway through the second half. Austin Maurer contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Bliss added 12 points and Julius Price delivered 10 points.

Stanford's shooting efficiency was on display, accomplishing 52% field goal accuracy, forcing 17 turnovers, and converting 20 attempts from the free-throw line. Coach Kyle Smith expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their improved play in the first 30 minutes of the game. Jaxson Thompson led Rice with 14 points, while Dallas Hobbs contributed 12.

Conversely, in the women's basketball matchup, Santa Clara's Broncos secured an impressive 89-70 victory over Long Beach State's 49ers. Maia Jones led the way for Santa Clara with 24 points, forcing 15 turnovers that resulted in 18 points, and outrebounded the 49ers 50-37. The Broncos, the preseason favorites to secure the WCC title, dominated from the start, leading by five points after the first quarter and maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

Coach Loree Payne credited their strong rebounding efforts, with a notable 25 offensive boards, for their success. Apart from Jones, four other Santa Clara players scored in double figures, including Sophie Glancey who added 14 points after being named WCC Player of the Week. Ava Schmidt and Delainey Miller each contributed 13 points, while Emma Najjuma scored 11 points for Long Beach State, which currently stands at 0-2.