For the Record, Stanford Wins

Mike Montgomery is finally willing to acknowledge that this Stanford team probably will keep winning.

Rob Little scored 16 points, and Josh Childress had 15 and nine rebounds to lead No. 2 Stanford to its school-record 21st consecutive victory, 69-58, over archrival California on Saturday night at Berkeley.

The Cardinal (21-0, 12-0) was playing for the first time since an 80-77 victory over Arizona last Saturday that ended on Nick Robinson’s 35-foot basket at the buzzer.

Stanford, off to its best start, is one of two remaining undefeated Division I teams, along with third-ranked Saint Joseph’s (22-0).

“It’s the best we’ve ever done at the school,” said the always critical Montgomery, in his 18th year as coach.

“I had to change my tune with the guys. We’re not afraid of winning every game. I think some of that was starting to creep in, that it would be bad if we won every game. We’re trying to win every game, but it’s ludicrous for us to act and think like we’re going to win every game.

“If somebody asked me if I thought we had a chance of going into the [NCAA] tournament undefeated, I’d say we have the best chance aside from one other team [Saint Joseph’s].”

California (11-10, 7-5) shot only 21.7% in the second half. The Golden Bears had won three in a row and many thought this was the game in which the Cardinal would be most susceptible to an upset after the Golden Bears lost at Palo Alto last month, 68-61.

Before the game, Cal retired Jason Kidd’s No. 5 jersey. His uniform joins Kevin Johnson’s No. 11 and Alfred Grigsby’s No. 4 in the rafters at Haas Pavilion.

“I’m very honored,” said Kidd, who played for California from 1992-94 and led the Golden Bears to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances.

Oregon 67, Washington State 62 -- The Ducks (12-7, 7-5) blew an 18-point second-half lead but made seven of eight free throws in the final minute of overtime at Pullman, Wash., to beat the Cougars for the seventh consecutive time.

The Cougars (11-12, 5-8) scored the first point of overtime to take their first lead (54-53) since leading, 10-9, after 12 minutes.

Sophomore Ian Crosswhite scored 23 points to lead Oregon. The Ducks’ Luke Jackson made only three of eight shots but went 10 for 10 at the free-throw line and scored 16 points.

Washington 80, Oregon State 79 -- The Huskies (12-9, 7-6) outscored the Beavers, 7-2, in the final 3:05 at Seattle to win for the seventh time in eight games.

Nate Robinson converted a three-point play on a fastbreak layup and his free throw with 1:22 to play for the game’s final points.

The Beavers (9-13, 3-9) had a chance to win on their final possession, but Chris Stephens missed a 15-foot jump shot.