The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
8-3
Stanford
5-4
Taylor's last-second floater pushes Men's Basketball past Stanford, 75-73
12.20.2015 | Men's Basketball
Junior guard leads Longhorns with 26 points and six assists in return to the Bay Area.
STANFORD, Calif. – Junior guard Isaiah Taylor sank the game-winning floater with 1.1 seconds left while posting a game-high 26 points and six assists to lead Texas past Stanford, 75-73, at Maples Pavilion on Saturday night. Senior center Cameron Ridley posted his fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds in addition to four blocked shots.
With the win, Texas (8-3) extended its winning streak to six games. Another strong team effort on offense was the difference as the Longhorns shot 54.2-percent from the floor (32-of-59). Kerwin Roach Jr. tied a career high with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field while contributing three assists.
Stanford guard Dorian Pickens came off the bench to lead the Cardinal (5-4) with 24 points by converting 6-of-7 of his attempts from beyond the arc and shooting a perfect 100-percent (6-of-6) at the free-throw line. Forward Rosco Allen added 19 points for the Cardinal.
The Longhorn defense opened the game firing on all cylinders, not allowing a Stanford point in the first 5:01 of the game while holding the Cardinal to 0-of-5 shooting from the field. Texas extended its largest lead of the half at the 9:57 mark to 19-9 following a layup from Taylor, who tallied a team-high 16 points in the opening half.
Stanford was able to cut the Texas lead to 26-24 with 6:34 left in the openig half after a three from Pickens, who finished the half with 15 points. Texas would finish the half by sinking six of its last seven shots, including 3-of-3 from long range, to head to the locker room holding a 41-35 lead. The Longhorns hit 56.3-percent from the floor (18-of-32), while the Cardinal stayed in the contest due to their success at the free throw line (14-of-16).
The Texas defense was in the spotlight to start the second half as well, as Ridley led the Longhorns with three blocks in the first five minutes of the half while holding the Cardinal to 1-of-8 shooting. Texas took a 54-47 lead into the second media timeout of the half following a 3-pointer from Roach.
Stanford was forced to take their first timeout of the half at 9:35 following a three from senior guard Javan Felix and a dunk from Ridley to extend the Longhorns' lead to 59-49. The Cardinal answered with an 8-0 run to pull within four points with 5:24 remaining. Texas would go on a scoring drought lasting 4:08 before a Ridley layup extended the Longhorns' lead to 66-60 at the 3:13 mark.
A Michael Humphrey steal and layup gave Stanford life with 31 seconds left in the game, cutting the Texas lead to 70-68. The Cardinal were able to stay within one possession following missed free throws from the Longhorns and tied the game at 73 on a 3-pointer from the top of the arc from Pickens with just under seven seconds to play.
Not electing to call a timeout, Taylor drove the length of the floor and sank the game-winning floater with 1.1 seconds remaining.
The Longhorns return home after a break for the Christmas holidays against Connecticut on Tuesday, Dec. 29. Tip is set for 8 p.m. Central at the Erwin Center, and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
Texas Basketball Postgame Notes
Texas 75, Stanford 73
December 19, 2015
Maples Pavilion (Stanford, Calif.)
Attendance: 3,930
Team Notes
The Longhorns won on a made basket in the closing seconds for the second time in the last three games. UT used a Javan Felix jumper as time expired to beat #3/3 North Carolina (84-82) at home on Dec. 12. Isaiah Taylor drove the length of the court and hit a floater off the backboard with 1.1 seconds left to beat Stanford (75-73).
UT improved to 3-2 in the all-time series against Stanford.
The Longhorns played their first true road game on an opponent's home court this season.
Texas converted 54.2 percent from the floor (32-of-59) during the win. This marked the third time this season that the Longhorns had shot at least 50 percent from the field (Michigan, UTSA).
UT recorded a 40-20 advantage in points in the paint.
Recorded his fifth double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) of the year and 18th of his career (113 games)
After posting two points, one rebound and zero blocks in nine minutes in the first half, Ridley had eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks in 18 minutes during the second half.
Reached double figures in scoring for the ninth time this season and 41st time in his career
Reached double figures in rebounds for the seventh time this season and 26th time in his career
Added four blocked shots, marking the sixth time in the first 11 games that he has recorded at least four rejections
Reached double figures in scoring (14 points) for the second time this season (11 games)
Tied his season high in points, 3-pointers made (2-of-2) and steals (2) and set a season high in field goals made (6-of-7)
Topped the 20-point mark (26 points) for the third time this year and 11th time in his career (70 games)
Reached double figures in scoring for the eighth time this season and 52nd time in his career
Set a career high in field goals made (11-of-17) and was one point shy of tying his career high in scoring (27, twice)
Postgame Quotes
Stanford Head Coach Johnny Dawkins
It was a hard-fought game. I thought they came out and played well to start the game. They knocked us back on our heels early. Our guys did a great job as they do. They kept fighting and they gave us a chance to win at the end. Unfortunately, we couldn't make the last stop to maybe send the game into overtime. Give them credit. I thought they defended very well, and they played to their strengths. (Guard Isaiah) Taylor was amazing tonight. We've seen a lot of tape on him and we've discussed guarding him. He's the fastest guard I've seen this season and probably the last couple of seasons.He controlled the game all night. With (Cameron) Ridley inside, having a double of blocked shots, rebounds, and scoring as well, they have a very good team. It was a good challenge for our guys, and I think we'll grow and get better from it.
Texas Head Coach Shaka Smart
We had one timeout left. I thought for a second about calling it, because the ball bounced around and we weren't able to get it in quickly, so Stanford was back with their defense set. Once the ball came in to Isaiah, first of all I couldn't call timeout because coaches aren't allowed, but I wanted to kind of let him go because he's good at making plays. He made a terrific play and won us a game.
