PALO ALTO, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive firepower and a decisive second-half surge, the Stanford Cardinal delivered a statement performance Saturday night, overwhelming the SMU Mustangs 95 to 75 in a non-conference men’s basketball clash at Maples Pavilion.

The contest, organized by the Atlantic Coast grouping, saw Stanford improve to 18-11 on the season while SMU fell to 19-10. A crowd of 4,493 witnessed a game that was competitive for a half before the Cardinal unleashed an offensive onslaught after the break.

Stanford’s victory was fueled by a remarkable display of efficiency and a career-high scoring performance from guard Benny Gealer. The sophomore from Palos Verdes Estates poured in 30 points, spearheading a second half in which Stanford outscored SMU 61 to 48. Gealer’s night was emblematic of Stanford’s overall precision; he was a perfect 9 for 9 from the free throw line and connected on five 3-pointers as part of a 14-for-27 team performance from beyond the arc.

The first half offered little indication of the blowout to come. SMU’s 7-foot-2 center Samet Yigitoglu scored on the game’s opening possession, and the Mustangs traded blows with the Cardinal throughout the period. Stanford held a narrow 34-27 lead at halftime, with Gealer and backcourt mate Ebuka Okorie combining for 20 points. SMU guard Boopie Miller kept his team close with 10 first-half points.

The most important part of the game unfolded immediately after halftime, as Stanford systematically dismantled SMU’s defense with a combination of sharpshooting and relentless attacking. The Cardinal opened the second half on a 13-5 run, stretching their lead to 15 points within the first four minutes. This stretch set the tone, as Stanford’s offensive rating of 143.5, a measure of points scored per 100 possessions, proved unsustainable for the Mustangs to counter.

While Gealer was the standout, he was far from a solo act. Okorie, a guard from Nashua, New Hampshire, complemented him with 22 points and six assists. Forward Aidan Cammann of Andover, Massachusetts, added 15 points, and Stanford’s ball movement and ball security were superior, tallying eight assists to SMU’s two and committing only seven turnovers against nine for the Mustangs.

SMU, which entered the game with a 60.4% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, was led by Miller’s 26 points and five assists. Jaron Pierre contributed 21 points for the Mustangs, and Corey Washington added 13. However, SMU’s offense, which managed an offensive rating of 111.1, was simply outgunned. The Mustangs shot a respectable 47.4% from the field but were undone by Stanford’s advantages from the 3-point line and the free throw line, where the Cardinal made 29 of 32 attempts.

Stanford’s defensive activity also played a crucial role, generating eight steals which fueled their transition game and disrupted SMU’s offensive flow. The Cardinal’s ability to convert those opportunities into points was a key separator in turning a close game into a comfortable victory.

The result provides momentum for Stanford as it looks ahead to its final regular-season stretch, with road games at Notre Dame and North Carolina State next. SMU, which had won four of its last five coming in, will aim to regroup before hosting Miami and traveling to Florida State.