Missing 14 consecutive field-goal attempts to open a game is hardly a formula for success. Doing so against the fifth-ranked team in the country makes such an occurrence even more problematic.

So it went for Stanford on Sunday, as the Cardinal’s early-game shooting woes proved more than the team could overcome in a 72-56 loss to Kansas at Maples Pavilion.

Though Stanford entered the game ranked first in the Pac-12 and ninth nationally with its 49.6% field-goal shooting, the Cardinal were off target on every shot from the floor until Isaac White’s jumper with 8:08 left in the first half. By then, Kansas had built a 15-4 lead — Oscar da Silva had gotten Stanford on the scoreboard with two free throws at the 12:11 mark — and the Jayhawks’ lead did not shrink below six the rest of the way.

“I don’t think that was our best effort, especially on the offensive end in that first half,” Stanford head coach Jerod Haase said. “But certainly give Kansas a lot of credit. That’s a big-time defensive team and a big-time team in general.”

Isaiah Moss made three straight 3-pointers during a decisive second-half stretch and finished with 17 points off the bench to lead Kansas (10-2), which prevailed despite shooting 37.5% in the first half and committing 21 turnovers.

“Both teams were so inept offensively that I’m sure it was a hard game for a lot of people to watch the first half,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “But we did defend and rebound.”

Da Silva scored 19 points to pace Stanford (11-2), which finished 19-for-50 from the field.

“Their defense is really good, but I do believe we have more in our tank offensively,” Haase said. “I think we can be stronger with the basketball and have better decisions. But until we get to that point, I don’t think we’re going to be an offensive juggernaut.

“But the thing is, I think we have really good offensive players and once we do figure that out and crack that code to reduce our turnovers, I think we’re going to be a really efficient offensive team.”

Harvard 71, Cal 63: Chris Lewis had 19 points and Christian Juzang added 14 as the Crimson (9-4) beat the Bears (6-7) at Haas Pavilion.

Lewis made all seven of his shots and had an emphatic two-handed dunk late in the second half while anchoring Harvard’s offense, but it was the Crimson’s defense that made the difference. Harvard had 11 blocks and held Cal to 35% shooting.

Matt Bradley scored 15 points on 4-for-14 shooting for the Bears, who have lost three straight and five of six.

Santa Clara 92, Alcorn St. 57: Keshawn Justice scored 24 points points as the Broncos (13-2) drubbed the Braves (4-7) at the Leavey Center.

Trey Wertz added 17 points, DJ Mitchell scored 14 and Jalen Williams had 11 for Santa Clara, which bolted to a 22-7 lead.

Women

Balanced offense helps Cal prevail

Alaysia Styles scored 18 points to lead four Cal players in double figures as the Bears beat Grand Canyon 72-53 at Haas.

Jaelyn Brown added 16 points, Jazlen Green had 15 points and CJ West added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Bears (8-3), who improved to 7-1 at home.

Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland alum Jada Holland scored 14 points to share team-high honors with Da’jah Daniels for the Antelopes (5-6).