By Andrew Hartley(@andrewhart1ey) – Spear Reporter
Jyah LoVett being consoled by SJSU head coach April Phillips after injuring her ankle and ultimately losing to Fresno State 70-67 January 3, 2023. l Photo by Andrew Hartley – The Spear
Pound.
The echoing sound of freshman Jyah LoVett slapping the chair to her left on the bench rang through the Event Center.
SJSU held a lead for more than half the game, including a nine-point lead with eight minutes left. But it couldn’t hold on.
Despite a career-high 26 points from LoVett, SJSU(5-8, 0-1 MW) dropped its conference opener Wednesday night to Fresno State(9-6, 2-0 MW) by a score of 70-67.
“We feel it was a winnable game, we should’ve won that,” said LoVett.
LoVett already led the team in scoring, but she established herself as the number one option against the Bulldogs. Shooting 11 of 18 from the field and scoring eight consecutive points in the fourth quarter, she willed SJSU to stay in it.
“I think you go to the hot hand when you need to,” said Phillips.
However, LoVett sustained an ankle injury on the final drive of the game which could result in more point guard play for Sabrina Ma or Sydni Summers. It’d be a crucial loss to an already injury-rattled team.
Substitutions were already difficult for SJSU head coach April Phillips. Due to injuries and sickness in the air, the Spartans only had eight players dressed. Key rotational players like Semaj Smith and Maya Anderson not playing certainly cost them depth.
They were almost in deeper trouble due to LoVett getting into early foul trouble and Amhyia Moreland sustaining a small left leg injury in the first quarter.
“You play with the cards you’re dealt,” said Phillips. “That’s all we got right now.”
Moreland’s availability was imperative being the only center the Spartans had. She played 38 minutes Wednesday despite averaging just 19.8 entering the game. A valuable presence, Moreland finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
“I’m just trying to do whatever helps the team,” said Moreland.
Coming into the game, Fresno St. averaged the second most free throw attempts in the Mountain West conference. While they were limited to 16 shots at the line, it was the 3-pointers that cost the Spartans.
Consistent open looks were knocked down by Mia Jacobs and Deajanae Harvey, combining for nine of the team’s 11 3s. Fresno St. averaged just 6.57 3-pointers a game prior to the contest.
“We gave up some threes we didn’t need to give up and shouldn’t have given up,” said Phillips.
It took Phillips more than a month last season to achieve the team’s first conference win, coming against Utah State. In the second year of a rebuild, Phillips is producing talented freshmen and developing players. But it’s difficult to show results when half of them are injured and can’t suit up.
SJSU’s next contest will be in Logan, Utah against the aforementioned Utah State. It’ll take place Jan. 6 at noon where SJSU will aim to get its first win of the new year.