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STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — An injury opened the door for Michael Humphrey to get into Stanford's starting lineup. The freshman forward is making his own case to stay there.
Humphrey scored 14 points and had a season-high 15 rebounds for his second straight double-double, and Stanford beat Oregon State 75-48 on Thursday night.
"I definitely feel more comfortable but I think it all starts with practice," Humphrey said. "Everyone is getting more comfortable with the way we're all playing in practice and it's translating to the game. We've had some really intense practices and that's what's helping us out."
Chasson Randle added 15 points, Anthony Brown had 13 points and eight rebounds and Marcus Allen scored 10 points to help the Cardinal overcome a shaky start and win for just the third time in its last seven games.
Stanford (18-9, 9-6 Pac-12) trailed most of the first half and was down by as much as nine before going on a 22-4 run early in the second half.
Humphrey, making his fourth straight start in place of injured forward Rosco Allen, scored six points during the run while Brown added five points.
"I've seen a young man really start to blossom," Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins said. "That's always fun to watch. I still think there's so much potential in him."
Gary Payton II scored 17 points for Oregon State (17-11, 8-8). The Beavers shot just 20.8 percent in the second half and lost for the fourth time in five games.
Stanford stayed close early until Payton scored consecutive baskets to kick start a 15-3 run by Oregon State. Olaf Schaftenaar and Langston Morris-Walker added back-to-back 3-pointers to help extend the Beavers lead to 28-19.
The Cardinal missed 11 consecutive shots — including five layups — and went more than seven minutes without a basket before making a late surge. Marcus Allen's 3-pointer with one second left in the half pulled Stanford within 30-28.
The Beavers maintained a slim lead into the second half but couldn't stop Randle.
Stanford's leading scorer, Randle opened the half with a 3-pointer then later scored on consecutive trips down the floor as part of the Cardinal's game-changing run.
After struggling to find any consistency with its offense in the first half, the Cardinal were decidedly more aggressive in the second half. Randle repeatedly drove the lane and kept Oregon State's defense on its heels while Humphrey's work inside the paint helped Stanford control the boards.
"That's one of the best second halves our team has played this season," Dawkins said. "Our guys made some adjustments and were able to find some openings where they were able to get some looks."
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TIP-INS
Oregon State: Olaf Schaftenaar came off the bench for the first time this season after showing up ill before the game. Schaftenaar finished with three points. ... Jarmal Reid left the game briefly in the first half after injuring his right wrist falling to the floor. Reid returned a few minutes later and had two points and five rebounds.
Stanford: Chasson Randle passed Gary Payton for sixth place on the conference career scoring list. ... The Cardinal have won five straight at home against the Beavers.
UP NEXT
Oregon State: At California on Sunday.
Stanford: Hosts Oregon on Sunday.
BUBBLE BOYS
Stanford is still on the bubble as far as the NCAA Tournament is concerned, so there isn't much margin for error. That's a point Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins has emphasized in practice and reaffirmed against Oregon State.
"For us, all the games are very important down the stretch," Dawkins said. "I'm sure they are for every team. We need to stay focused and we need to protect our home court."
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