Aikman Fang (@aikmanfang) – Women’s Basketball Beat Reporter
San Jose State women’s basketball (0-1, 0-0 MW) opened its season to a lopsided 74-44 loss on the road to Tulsa (2-0, 0-0 AAC).
The Spartans led 7-5 over the Golden Hurricane with seven minutes left in the first quarter despite senior guard Jada Holland injuring her ankle earlier in the game. Tulsa freshman forward Temira Poindexter inadvertently collided with Holland’s left leg while diving for a loose ball.
Holland was able to return with four minutes left in the first but Tulsa was already on an 8-0 run and led 13-7 over SJSU.
The Spartans forced the Golden Hurricane into five turnovers but trailed 20-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Graduate guard Aarion Nichols provided three steals in the first frame and finished the night with a team-high eight in the loss.
Tulsa kicked off the second quarter with a 12-0 run and extended its lead to 32-14 over SJSU. Nichols scored the first bucket for the Spartans to cut the Golden Hurricane’s lead with four minutes left in the period.
The Spartans struggled offensively, as they shot 2-13 from the field and turned the ball over five times in the second quarter. Tulsa finished the first half with a 40-20 lead over SJSU.
Sophomore forward Marisa Davis-Jones led the Spartans with five points and six rebounds at the intermission. The former Gatorade Arizona State Player of the Year finished the game with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Holland provided a bright spot for SJSU in the third quarter as she scored six of the Spartans’ 13 points in the period. She finished the game with a team-high 11 points.
Tulsa would close out the third quarter with a 56-33 lead over the Spartans before finishing with a 30-point lead by the end of the game.
“We’re young and it’s hard when you get kind of punched in the face on the road,” said head coach April Phillips.
SJSU looks to bounce back in its home opener this Sunday against Cal State Fullerton at the Provident Credit Union Event Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.