By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Reporter | Senior guard Josh Uduje (9) goes up for a layup while junior center Rob Vaihola (22) begins to box out the defense. (photo by Nikita Bankar – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State’s (5-6, 0-1 MW) 117-80 win over Lincoln (CA) [1-4] did not start as smoothly as the team would have hoped.
Lincoln came out the gates in the first half shooting 12-27 from three-point range in the first half.
“I think we underestimated their ability to shoot,” senior guard Josh Uduje said. “They had some deep Steph Curry range threes.”
Lincoln had three players with five or more three-point shots made.
Head coach Tim Miles felt that the Spartans ball pressure was weak in the first half.
“When your ball pressure is bad your defense is bad,” Miles said. “I think we did that a lot better in the second half.”
After that display the Spartans adjusted defensively in the second half only allowing Lincoln to shoot 4-15 from deep. As Lincoln is a lesser known school, there was very little information online for the Spartans to scout.
“We had one tape and some game stats. That’s the way you did it in the old days,” Miles said. “We knew they were going to shoot the three and they were all mid-size and not non-traditional five-out.”
The tallest player on Lincoln was 6-foot-6 and junior center Rob Vaihola was able to capitalize, snagging a career-high 18 rebounds and a season high 17 points. This was Vaihola’s second straight game with a double-double.
“I like the fact that he said ‘why didn’t you leave me in so I can get 20 rebounds coach?’”, Miles said. “One thing about Vaihola is that his rebounding ability has always been there. His scoring is getting better and we need that from him.”
San Jose State dominated Lincoln in the paint, outscoring them 78-26.
Uduje was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points. This marked the fifth time this season that Uduje has scored 20 or more points.
Sophomore guard Latrell Davis, who started in place of junior guard Will McClendon who was out with an illness, scored 13 points and recorded eight assists. Davis’ assist total was the highest of any Spartan this season.
Sophomore guard Latrell Davis drives to the rim in 117-80 win over Lincoln (CA) on Monday at the Provident Credit Union Event Center. (photo by Nikita Bankar – Spear Photographer)
“(Eight assists) is big time from Davis,” Uduje said. “He requires so much attention because of his ability to go downhill, this is the next step to his game to create problems.”
Graduate student forward Sadaidriene Hall scored eight points and had six rebounds. Hall has been added to the starting rotation and SJSU has seen a rise in success.
“We’re 4-1 since putting him in the starting lineup,” Miles said. “Hall has a feel for the game, you will see the way he’ll steal the ball and get a rebound, he’s a crafty player.”
The Spartans will be back at home against Cal Poly (5-6, 0-2 Big West) on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
