By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Reporter
Myron Amey Jr. celebrating after creating and making a shot for SJSU. l Photo by Christian Vieyra – The Spear
San Jose State found themselves down 38-19 at halftime against Colorado State. Despite playing a good second half, the initial hole San Jose State dug itself into was too much to overcome.
The 66-47 loss to Colorado State (18-5, 6-4 MW) is now the seventh in a row for the Spartans.
Mental errors were the undoing for SJSU (8-15, 1-10 MW) in the first half. Miscommunications and lackadaisical passing led to the Spartans committing nine turnovers in the first half alone.
San Jose State allowed the Rams to go on a 13-0 scoring run that occurred over six minutes and 30 seconds.
The biggest reason for huge swings of momentum in Colorado State’s favor was the lack of help from the Spartans’ bench. San Jose State only had one point off the bench compared to 23 from Colorado State.
“Too many turnovers early where the game got away from us,” SJSU head coach Tim Miles said. “We fought back but, we just couldn’t get over the hump again.”
The Spartans started the second half strong with a 12-5 run and played a one-three-one zone defense that created turnovers and allowed them to inch back into the game.
But alas, SJSU would cool down from the field and the Colorado State would only allow the four points in the final seven minutes in the contest.
The top scorer for the Spartans was junior guard Alvaro Cardenas as he put up 14 points and also dished out five assists.
SJSU’s offense this season has heavily run through Cardenas and junior guard Myron Amey Jr. However, if Amey Jr. is not playing up to his usual standard, the Spartans can struggle to put up points.
While Amey Jr. scored 13 points, he shot 4-13 from the field and didn’t heat up until late in the second half.
The Rams also outscored the Spartans 38-22 in the paint.
San Jose State will return home to face off against Air Force (8-14,1-9 MW), the only team in the Mountain West that the Spartans have beaten so far this season.
Tip-off is scheduled for Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.