Stanford Rolls in Maui Opener over Alabama

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP)  -- Highly touted freshman Ziaire Williams scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in his collegiate debut and Stanford beat Alabama 82-64 in the relocated Maui Invitational on Monday.

Stanford will face 14th-ranked North Carolina (2-0) on Tuesday. The tournament is being played in North Carolina instead of Hawaii due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The game served as Stanford's season opener because its first scheduled game against Utah Valley was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. The victory was Stanford's 11th-straight in its season opener.

Bryce Wills scored 15 points to go with six rebounds for Stanford and Oscar da Silva and Daejon Davis each scored 13. Davis dished a game-high four assists, while da Silva joined Williams with a game-leading eight rebounds. Stanford outmuscled Alabama on the glass, 47-31.

The win is the first for the Cardinal in program history against Alabama, which was ranked No. 25 in the coaches poll, in four tries, with this serving as the first meeting between the two schools not in a postseason tournament. 

Williams' jumper with 7:42 before halftime broke a 25-all tie and the Cardinal closed the half on a 16-4 run and it was largely in control the rest of the way.

Stanford will take on the Tar Heels at 1 p.m. PT on ESPN.