Dec 16, 2001

Box Score |  Quotes

By RICK EYMER
Associated Press Writer

STANFORD, Calif. - Curtis Borchardt took full advantage of his height advantage for No. 12 Stanford.

The 7-foot Borchardt scored a career-high 25 points to go with 14 rebounds as Stanford (4-1) shook off the rust of a two-week layoff to beat Long Beach State 94-77 Saturday night.

"I was working pretty hard, but I got some great passes over the top," said Borchardt, 4 inches taller than his Long Beach State counterpart. "They had to stop fronting me and I was able to get the ball pretty deep. When I wasn't getting my shots, I was able to find the open man."

Casey Jacobsen added 23 points for Stanford, which hadn't played since an 83-75 overtime loss to Texas on Dec. 1. Julius Barnes had 11.

Tony Darden scored 24 points to lead the 49ers, who dropped their second straight to a Pac-10 school and fourth overall. Travis Reed added 14 and Ron Johnson 15 as Long Beach State (3-6) dropped to 0-4 on the road.

Stanford improved its home record to 36-1 over the last six years against non-conference opponents.

The Cardinal won their 21st straight over a Big West opponent, dating to the 1977-78 season.

Stanford coach Mike Montgomery, who was named an assistant coach of the 2002 U.S. World Championship team under Milwaukee Bucks coach George Karl earlier in the week, improved to 2-0 against his alma mater.

Borchardt, who's playing time has been limited the past two years because of injuries, recorded his 10th consecutive game of double figure rebounds dating to last year.

"He played very well," Long Beach State coach Wayne Morgan said. "With his size, strength and development as a player, it was very difficult."

After the 49ers drew to 47-46 early in the second half, Stanford scored 10 straight points to take a 57-46 lead with 16:38 left.

Borchardt, who has four double-doubles in five games, blocked one of his three shots to set up an easy basket for Justin Davis at the other end for the final two points of the run.

"We've got to get Curtis more involved," Montgomery said. "We knew he would improve as time went on and that's starting to show up. He's getting comfortable."

The Cardinal, which made seven of its first eight shots of the second half, maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

Stanford, which was 10-of-25 from the foul line in its loss to the Longhorns, made 10 of its first 14 free throws against Long Beach State.

Teyo Johnson, who also plays wide receiver on the Seattle Bowl-bound Cardinal football team, saw his first basketball action of the season when he entered the game with 2:39 left in the first half. He missed his only shot.

Fans took up the cheer "Tey-O John-Son," when he was whistled into the contest.

Stanford couldn't shake the 49ers in the first half. Ron Johnson's 3-pointer gave the 49ers a 27-26 lead with 8:45 left in the first half and stayed within five points most of the way.

"That was our best 20 minutes of the season," Morgan said.

The Cardinal's biggest lead of the half was 46-41 after Barnes hit a jumper with 45 seconds remaining.

Darden, who made six of his first eight shots, including 4-of-5 from long range, hit a 3-pointer late in the half as Stanford took a 46-44 lead into intermission.