By Sebastian Ramos – Spear Reporter | Graduate Student guard Donovan Yap Jr. goes up for a layup in a 64-59 loss against UC Santa Barbara (photo by Nick Orozco Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
Despite holding the lead for 32 minutes throughout the game, San Jose State takes a heartbreaking loss in the Mountain West conference opener against the University of New Mexico.
The Spartans (4-6, 0-1 MW) came out controlling the match 15-2 in the first five minutes before the contest became a back-and-forth match as the Lobos (7-2, 1-0) sparked a 9-0 run led by Lobos senior center Nelly Junior Joseph.
Junior Joseph gave the Spartan defense a tough time, having 12 first-half points and recording a double-double by the end of the match with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Spartans continued to not shy away from the Lobos opening up the second half with good momentum and holding as much as a seven point lead midway through the half.
The Spartans offensive success can be attributed to senior guard Josh Uduje and junior guard Will McClendon scoring 20+ points each keeping the Spartans alive.
The standout player for the Spartans was none other than Redshirt junior center Robert Vaihola, recording his first double-double of the season along with three assists and a career-high four blocks..
In the end the Spartans’ offense went stagnant as the defense seemed to tire out in the last five minutes of play after giving up the lead and allowing New Mexico to go on a 6-0 run.
The game was then sealed after a baseline jumper from the Lobos Donovan Dent giving them the lead 81-77 with 21 seconds left.
“Our kids battled, they were valiant, they were great, just not enough to come out on top, but our growth is exponential from where we were to start,”.SJSU head coach Tim Miles said. “I think there’s better days ahead of us.”
Spartans look forward to bouncing back at home against Lincoln University at 7 p.m. Monday, at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
