By Anfisa Pitchkhadze – Spear Reporter | Senior guard Josh Uduje goes up for a three-point shot in an exhibition against Cal State East Bay (photo by Nikita Bankar – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State men’s basketball (0-2, 0-0 MW) suffered a 80-67 loss to Pacific (2-0, 1-0 MW) in its first game at the Outrigger Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Spartans endured their second loss of the season.
Despite the loss, SJSU assistant coach Jeff Strohm said he was pleased with the team.
“I was proud of our fight,” Strohm said in a video posted to the athletics website. “I was proud of how we stayed together.”
SJSU’s offense struggled to get the ball into the net throughout the game.
SJSU shot 35% from field goal range, shot 16% from the 3-point range and was also outrebounded 42-31.
The Tigers led for over 35 minutes while the Spartans only had the lead for under 3 minutes.
The Spartans could not command enough answers as the Tigers seemingly pulled away with larger leads in the game.
Besides the struggles, the Spartans showcased some offensive performances.
Senior guard and Utah State transfer Josh Uduje led the team in scoring with 15 points, his second game of the season leading the team in scoring.
Uduje also added five rebounds along with forward Sadaidriene Hall as both led the Spartans in rebounds.
Junior guard Will McClendon and junior center Robert Vaihola also added double-digit points to add scoring contributions to the offense.
McClendon would go on to score a career-high 14 points and shot 10-11 from the free throw line.
Vaihola was all over the floor for the Spartans as he put up 12 points, added four rebounds, one block and a steal.
The Spartans will continue to play at the Outrigger Rainbow Classic as they are scheduled to play two more games.
Strohm said he sees this loss to help prepare for the next games and going so forward into the season
“The lessons we learn today will help us tomorrow and will help us in life,” Strohm said.
SJSU faces its next matchup and hopes to earn its first win of the season against Hawaii at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
