Nick Townsend Drops 31 as Stanford Routs Rice to Stay Perfect

Stanford men's basketball is rolling to start the season. The Cardinal took the floor for the third time in the regular season on Monday night and continued their strong start, beating the Rice Owls 91-73 at Maples Pavilion. It is the Cardinal's third straight 3-0 start to a season. 

The Cardinal got a big game from forward Nick Townsend, a transfer from Yale. Scoring 31 points and recording eight rebounds and six assists, he was one point shy of his career high. It was the second game in his college career that he scored 30 or more points. Townsend is only the second ACC player so far this season to score 30 or more points in a game, joining Boston College's Money Williams. 

He went 9-for-14 shooting from the field and scored two 3-pointers while going a perfect 11-for-11 at the free throw line. Center Austin Maurer finished the night second in scoring for Stanford with 14 points while adding 11 rebounds, recording his second career double-double.

Other players to score in double figures for the Cardinal were guard Christian Bliss (12 points, seven rebounds) and guard Julius Price (10 points, four assists).

The game started back and forth, but Stanford took the lead for good less than four minutes into the contest. The Cardinal then went on a 17-4 run that spanned over six minutes, and by the time it ended, they held a 24-13 lead with just over 10 minutes to go in the first half.

Townsend scored 19 of his 31 points in the first half and helped Stanford finish the half on a 15-8 run, giving the team a 45-29 lead at the break.

Stanford led by 30 points at one point, going on a 29-10 run with under 10 minutes to go in the second half. The run would end up cementing the win for the program.

Overall, the Cardinal shot 51.2% from the field and 36.8% from the three-point line, finishing just shy of a perfect night at the free throw line. Stanford outscored Rice 42-32 in the paint and got a season high of 38 points from the bench unit.

"We're getting better," coach Smith said after the game. "I thought we played really well the first 30 minutes for sure. Defended really well, kept them off the three for the most part. Took care of the ball. Saw full-court pressure all night and it bothered us a little late, but we were able to get some guys some confidence out there.

"Got to introduce some Stanford fans to a couple new [players]. They got some meaningful minutes, and overall, just really pleased. Feels like we've been getting better every game, getting an identity, learning to play with each other, doing a good job."

Stanford's next game is on Friday, Nov. 13 against the UNLV Rebels. It will be Stanford's first road game of the season. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. and the game will air on CBS Sports Network.