By Johnny Culbertson (@Johnculb3) – Reporter
San Jose State women’s basketball suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of Utah State at home 63-61.
A buzzer-beater was the final arrow as the Spartans’ losing streak extended to 13.
A controversial foul call on Spartans’ junior guard Ella Ogier, led to two free throws for Utah State with 0.6 seconds remaining on the clock.
“You know you just hope,” said SJSU head coach Jamie Craighead. “Swallow your whistle, let the kid hit the shot or not.”
The Aggies secured a rebound off the missed second free throw, as graduate forward Laci Hawthorne quickly put the ball back up and in to win the game for Utah State.
The Spartans looked hot to begin the first quarter, at one point making four consecutive field goal attempts while playing physical, getting whistles and converting a perfect 5-5 from the charity stripe. Utah State was able to climb back with a 9-2 run to end the quarter tied at 23.
The Spartans struggled from beyond the arc in the second quarter, only making a single three-point field goal despite taking seven attempts. Utah State’s suffocating defense held the Spartans to 4-17 from the field while it outscored SJSU 18-9. Utah State’s starting backcourt, guards E’Lease Stafford and Kaylin Randhawa combined for 27 points in the first half on an efficient 12-17 from the field.
The spark was lit for the Spartans’ defense in the third quarter. Refusing to go out quietly, the Spartans shortened the lead by holding the Aggies to six points on 18 attempts.
The Spartans stayed energized in the fourth quarter, determined to close the gap. Senior forwards Meghan Oberg and Cydni Lewis hit some clutch shots to regain the lead for SJSU.
“I’ve been really off on my three-pointers lately,” Oberg said. “When we needed it, I was like, I got to make it.”
Utah State refused to go out quietly, securing the win with a 6-0 run in the final 13 seconds.
Ogier led the Spartans in scoring for the fourth consecutive game with 17 points. This was her sixth game in a row in double figures. Lewis was active on the boards tonight securing her third double-double of the season, with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Junior guard Adryana Quezada led Utah State with 20 points, 16 of which in the first half.
San Jose State looks to keep a short term memory as it hosts Boise State Saturday.
“We’re hoping this game is a good spark,” said Craighead. “We’ve got a big one coming on Saturday…I hope it’s not a hangover because we’ve got a chance to get a win on Saturday.”