By Annabelle Del Bosque — Reporter
San Jose State men’s basketball (5-14, 3-12 MW) returned home for its first home game of the season in a 76-60 loss to the UNLV Rebels (9-11, 6-7 MW).
The Spartans last home game was 356 days ago on Feb. 29, 2020 against UNLV (University of Nevada Las Vegas) in what was a 92-69 win for the Rebels.
“It feels great to be back at home after a year,” junior guard Trey Smith said.
Freshman guard Sebastian Mendoza buried a three-pointer to start the game off.
In a tight scoring game, senior guard Richard Washington dropped a three-point corner shot at 14:15 in the first half making the score 19-16.
The frustration loomed from head coach Jean Prioleau when Rebels took their first lead with less than 10 minutes in the first half, 20-19.
The Spartans are unable to stop the momentum from the Rebels.
Senior forward Ralph Agee assisted Smith with a three pointer to end SJSU’s six-minute drought, 29-23.
A defensive foul from the Rebels helped the Spartans take back the lead in the last two minutes of the first half, 32-31.
The Spartans started the second half three points behind the Rebels, 35-32.
The unanswered Spartans’ baskets allowed the Rebels to extend their lead by nine points.
“We couldn’t knock them in,” Prioleau said.
SJSU could not match UNLV’s energy in the final nine minutes.
Leading scorer Agee was lifted off court by his teammates after rolling his left ankle with less than five minutes remaining in the second half.
“We are going to have to adjust,” Prioleau said. “It depends on what he can and cannot do.”
The Spartans weren’t able to pull through in the first of two games against the Rebels.
“We found our identity as a team and will come back to practice tomorrow,” Smith said. “Come more prepared and ready to knock them down on Sunday.”
The two game series will continue at the Provident Credit Union Event Center this Sunday at 1 p.m.
Follow Annabelle on Twitter @BosqueAnnabelle