By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Reporter
Myron Amey Jr. goes up for a layup against Wyoming in a 80-75 loss on Feb. 17, 2024 at the Event Center I Photo by Aikman Fang – The Spear
It looked like all hope was gone from the game when San Jose State (9-16, 2-10 MW) trailed Wyoming (13-12, 5-6 MW) 43-29 at halftime. But the Spartans came roaring back, bringing the game to within two points.
But alas, the hole the Spartans dug themselves into was too much to dig themselves out, of as they would go on to lose 80-75.
“I thought the guys did a good job bouncing back after a disjointed first-half,” head coach Tim Miles said. “A few plays didn’t go our way down the last minute.”
The Spartans were without junior guard Alvaro Cardenas tonight who was dealing with an illness, according to Miles. It showed in the first half where the permitter defense was lacking as SJSU conceded nine three-pointers.
Freshman guard Latrell Davis stepped up in Cardenas’ absence and put up a career-high 20 points shooting 7-8 from the field. Davis was a big reason this game became competitive as 15 of his points came in the second half alone.
“I was just trying to be the high energy guy,” Davis said. “I just tried to still prove myself and show why I should be out there trying to help them win every single game.”
Miles attempted to replace Cardenas’ production with Davis and freshman guard Rickey Mitchell Jr. who got his first career start.
“Latrell was phenomenal in the second half on both ends of the floor,” Miles said. “Mitchell I thought did really good things too, you can see why we recruited those two guys.”
Mitchell Jr. scored seven points and recorded two assists.
Junior guard Myron Amey Jr. was the Spartans second leading scorer putting up 19 points and dishing out six assists.
Amey Jr. recognized that the issue with tonight’s game, was an issue that has plagued the Spartans all season.
“We just need to tighten up on defense, like every game,” Amey Jr. said. “They were on pace for 80 points after the first half, we got to get fired up early.”
The absence of junior forward Robert Vaihola was once again felt heavy during this game as the Spartans struggled to find a solid answer in the paint for graduate student forward Mason Walters.
Walters would put up 18 points and snag seven rebounds.
The Spartans will be on the road for their next game against Boise State (17-8, 8-4 MW), with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.