Benny Gealer’s Buzzer-Beater Seals Thrilling Championship for Stanford University Basketball

In a heart-stopping finish that will be etched in Stanford University basketball history, Benny Gealer delivered a moment of pure magic. With just 0.8 seconds remaining on the clock, Gealer caught the ball in the corner and, without hesitation, launched a spectacular rainbow 3-pointer that swished through the net, giving the Cardinal a dramatic 78-77 victory over Saint Louis in the Acrisure Invitational Championship.

The triumph in Palm Desert, California, marked Stanford’s first multi-team event title since the 2007 Basketball Travelers Classic, a testament to the team’s resilience and a fitting reward for a truly unforgettable performance.

The Unforgettable Final Seconds

The stage for Gealer’s heroics was set by a sequence of events straight out of a movie script. With Stanford trailing by three points, Ebuka Okorie was fouled in the dying moments. Okorie calmly sank the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second. The ball bounced perfectly into the hands of AJ Rohosy, who secured the offensive rebound and instinctively dished it to Gealer. The rest, as they say, is history – a game-winning shot that sent the Stanford bench into euphoria.

A Monumental Comeback

This championship victory was made even more remarkable by Stanford’s incredible comeback. The Cardinal found themselves in a deep hole early in the game, trailing by as many as 15 points (28-13) with just over eight minutes left in the first half. However, showing immense grit, Stanford chipped away at the deficit, embarking on an 11-2 run that saw them close within six points before heading into halftime down 47-36.

The second half saw a revitalized Stanford squad emerge. They quickly cut the Saint Louis lead to a single point, and then, thanks to back-to-back triples from Jeremy Dent-Smith, the game was tied at 60 apiece. Dent-Smith continued his hot shooting, eventually giving Stanford a 65-62 lead with his third three-pointer of the half, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.

Key Players and Stellar Performances

While Gealer’s shot will live in legend, the victory was a true team effort. Four Cardinal players reached double figures in scoring:

• Chisom Okpara: Led the team with 19 points and added six rebounds.
• Ebuka Okorie: Contributed 17 points and an impressive six assists without a single turnover.
• Jeremy Dent-Smith: Scored 12 points, including four crucial 3-pointers, along with five rebounds.
• AJ Rohosy: Chipped in 11 points and a season-high nine rebounds, pivotal for the game-winning assist.

Other notable contributions included Oskar Giltay’s career-high seven rebounds and eight points each from Ryan Agarwal and Aidan Cammann. As a team, Stanford hit a season-high 13 three-pointers, showcasing their offensive firepower.

Looking Ahead for Stanford Basketball

With this hard-fought victory, Stanford improves its all-time record against the Saint Louis Billikens to 3-0. The excitement now shifts back to Maples Pavilion as the Stanford University Cardinal prepare to host Portland on Monday, December 1, at 7 p.m. PST, with coverage available on ACC Network Extra.

This championship win serves as a powerful testament to the spirit and potential of Stanford basketball, promising an exciting season ahead for fans and the university community alike.