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Stanford opens final homestand of season against California

Feb 24, 2008 - 7:01 PM California (15-9) at No. 9 Stanford (21-4) 9:00 pm EST

PALO ALTO, California (Ticker) -- Stanford needs to take advantage of a late season three-game homestand to stay in the race for the Pac-10 Conference title.

Ninth-ranked Stanford opens its final homestand of the season on Saturday when it hosts California in a Pac-10 clash.

The Cardinal (21-4, 10-3) enter Saturday's contest in second place in the conference standings, one-half game behind No. 6 UCLA, on the strength of eight wins in their last nine games.

Stanford bounced back from a four-point overtime loss to Arizona State with a narrow 67-66 victory over Arizona on February 16. Brook Lopez scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Cardinal.

Lopez, who is averaging a team-high 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this season, has booked four double-doubles this season.

California (15-9, 6-7) snapped a two-game losing streak with a 76-73 triumph over Arizona State on February 16. Ryan Anderson poured in 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Golden Bears.