Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Basketball Beat Reporter
Isaiah Hill’s 15-point second half sunk San Jose State’s (14-10, 5-6 MW) chances of clinching a series sweep over Fresno State for the first time since the 2008-09 season. SJSU still remains one win away from notching their most total wins in a season since the 2010-11 campaign.
SJSU’s 70-62 loss comes on the backend of Omari Moore’s 22-point, five rebound and five assist performance as he became the 12th leading scorer in SJSU history along the way. It was Moore’s ninth 20-point performance this season.
“We just didn’t get enough production from the entire team,” said Miles. “We got outplayed and that’s what I have to look at a coach it’s like, ‘OK what did I not do to prepare us for this?’ That’s what we have to solve.”
Fresno State-transfer Robert Vaihola was dominant in the first half, in his return to Save Mart Center since transferring to SJSU this off season. He led SJSU with 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting, snagged six rebounds, four offensive boards, denied Isaih Moore at the rim and snatched two alley-hoop intended lobs out of the sky.
“He was really able to control the game on the glass and down low and he was great defensively,” said Miles.
But in the second half he picked up three early fouls, giving him four total and wasn’t nearly as productive afterwards. He finished with four points, one rebound and 2-for-6 from the line.
“We were able to get him back in later when it was still a tight game, but he’s a little more out of wack … that certainly hurt us,” said Miles.
The eight-point loss is indicative of Fresno State (9-15, 5-7 MW) running away with it at the end, but not the 13 lead changes and three ties before Hill hit a three to make it a 48-47 with 8:19 left as the Bulldogs never let up.
“It’s a rivalry they felt us. This is a good game. It was a closely contested game,” said Miles. “They pulled away down the stretch, but we still had the lead under 10 minutes to go in the game I think.”
The Spartans out rebounded the Bulldogs by a marginal 39-29 and colossal 20-5 on the offensive end, but only turned it into 12 second chance points.
“Whether we weren’t just gritty enough to go in and finish or whatever the problem is, I’ll have to watch some tape and get a better feel for it,” said Miles.
Sage Tolbert led SJSU with 10 rebounds, Vaihola had seven, Ibrahima Diallo had six and Moore had five.
The Spartans shot 21 of 60 for 35% from the field and wings Trey Anderson and Tibet Görener finished a combined 2-for-12.
The going doesn’t get any easier as SJSU faces Utah State at home this Saturday night at 7.
“Utah State just won here by 12 and we just lost here by eight,” said Miles. “Utah State’s really good and they’re playing for their postseason lives and it’s going to be a really tough game.”