By Hector Roldan (@HectorRSJSU) – Spear Reporter
Sophomore guard Sabrina Ma fights for the rebound with a defender on her back. | Photo by Aikman Fang – The Spear
San Jose State women’s basketball (6-20, 1-13 MW) lost its home game against Utah State (5-21, 2-13 MW) 71-70. This was a game where it not only lost at home, but put itself in last place in the Mountain West standings.
SJSU is looking for a spark to get itself out of last place in the Mountain West.
“We are sticking together and continuing to build our culture,” SJSU head coach April Phillips said. “We are supporting each other the best way we can and whatever it is you can bring to the table and bring this culture together.”
For the Spartans, it is their 12th straight loss and have not won a game since Jan. 6 when they beat Utah State on the road to secure their only conference win on the season. Beating the Aggies on the road 69-54 in that performance.
SJSU played with just eight players the entire game due to injuries resulting in a lack of points off the bench, recording just three. Players had to set up with the absence of recent freshman guard Sydni Summers go down due to injury in its last game against rival Fresno State.
Junior forward Amhyia Moreland started off strong for the Spartans putting up 14 points in the first half but struggled in the second half, only scoring two points.
With the absence of key players, sophomore guards Sabrina Ma and Sofia Kelemeni moved the ball around and found the basket from deep. Ma turned it up in the second half and recorded 23 points, while Kelemeni recorded a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 10 assists.
Look for these two young guards to have more playing time and be key role players as the Spartans head into the final stretch of Mountain West play.
“I’m very proud of our team obviously this one hurts, I will say that it is definitely making us stronger as a program and individuals,” Phillips said. “Our ladies, they are hungry and working hard…scraping and scratching to win a game.”
Look for the Spartans to emphasize their 3-point presence as they shot 7-24 on the night. With just four games remaining in Mountain West play, they’ll hope to receive players back from injury soon. Both Kelemeni and Ma recorded 39 minutes of play again Wednesday.
SJSU will take on Air Force in the its matchup on Saturday Feb. 24 at noon as the team looks to end its 12-game losing streak.