By Hector Roldan (@HectorRSJSU) – Spear Reporter
Junior forward Amhyia Moreland pulling up from mid-range as her opponents attempts to block her shot. | Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics
SJSU women’s basketball (6-13, 1-6 MW) suffered a loss on the road to Colorado State (13-6, 4-4 MW) 65-49. The Spartans led by a point after one but the Rams would pull away from the Spartans after that. Colorado State was led by their leading scorer McKenna Hofschild with 22 to lead all scorers on the night.
Spartan team leading scorer Jyah LoVett did not play in this game but the second team leading scorer Amhyia Moreland put a strong performance together recording a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. LoVett is an asset the Spartans will need as they look to stay competitive against some of the stronger teams in the conference. As the teams leading scorer the inability to score shows as the games progress and a person they will have to depend on the rest of the season.
Moreland shows why she as a great asset down low when they need someone to lead them in the paint and shows why she’s the teams second leading scorer. Moreland stepped up in this game and showed why the Spartans can be a stronger unit in the paint and out rebound other teams. Although the Spartans recorded 19 more rebounds than the Rams, they only made seven threes the entire game and an area of the game where they are lacking as a team.
Freshman guards Maya Anderson and Sydni Summers both struggled for the Spartans as Anderson shot 1-16 and Summers went 2-10 from the field. The talented freshman have shown that they are capable of scoring but must figure out how to stay consistent each game. This team is young and has a lot to learn but by doing the basics and just putting the basket through the hoop will help to stay a bit more consistent. On another note, we saw forward grad-student Mia Grizelj score a three to record her first pints as a Spartan.
“We had some different pieces on the floor tonight… I was pleased with our better start as that was one of our focuses. Amhyia had a dominant game inside with a double-double was good so there were some positives to take away,” said head coach April Phillips.
The Spartans only allowed 14 turnovers in the paint and is a much improvement for the team when that is an area they have struggled all season. Protecting the ball is a key aspect to the large leads teams at times stretch out on the team and need to continue to keep the turners to a minimal throughout the game.
The Spartans looks rebound as they are back home to host the New Mexico Lobos at home Wednesday Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.