By Christian Vieyra (@thecvieyra) – Co-Executive Editor | SJSU senior guard Steven Vasquez attempts a three in a 117-80 win over Lincoln on Dec. 9 at Provident Credit Union Event Center. (Photo by Nikita Bankar – The Spear)
It took San Jose State (6-6, 0-1 MW) men’s basketball two halves and an overtime period to beat Cal Poly (5-7, 0-2 Big West) 107-100 in a game that saw eight total lead changes Saturday night at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
With the bulk of conference play on the horizon, here are three takeaways from SJSU’s win:
“DayDay” is here to stay
Forward Sadaidriene Hall has started six times for the Spartans this season, and the team is 5-1 in those games.
Hall finished with a career-high 33 points, the most by any Spartan this season, along with a season-high 11 rebounds, four assists and a season-high three steals in the game.
“You could see what I like,” SJSU head coach Tim Miles said. “The guy rebounds the ball, he can steal the ball, he’s a smart, crafty player, he’s hard to prepare for.”
Hall’s points and field goals made (14) were the most by any player in the Mountain West this season.
Hall also made the game-tying three that sent the game to overtime, leaving two seconds on the clock.
“It’s just the moment I’ve been waiting for,” Hall said. “Tonight was just my night to step up and I feel like I did it.”
Spartans found a way to win
SJSU went into its match with Cal Poly with multiple injuries. The most notable absences included junior forward Rob Vaihola and freshman guard Jermaine Washington. Junior guard Will McClendon left the game late in the second half with an injury and guard Donavan Yap Jr. fouled out early in overtime.
Vaihola was ruled out due to illness according to The Spear’s Aaron Johnson.
The Spartans had to play their most available players according to Miles.
“They’re an elite offensive team with one exception, they turn it over,” Miles said of Cal Poly’s offense. “So you have to get them to turn it over.”
The Spartans point of emphasis was not letting the Mustangs get shots up according to Miles, especially with an elite scorer like Owen Koonce, who finished with 31 points for the Mustangs.
“If you let them get a shot up, they’re tough,” Miles said. “They’ve got a lot of guys that can hurt you from three.”
Miles said SJSU didn’t force turnovers like he wanted until the final eight minute stretch of the first half.
“We forced nine turnovers I think in that span and went on a 28-3 run,” Miles said. “That’s the only time we really got them to turnover except right at the start of overtime.”
Pasha Goodarzi and Steven Vasquez get important minutes
Although guards freshman Pasha Goodarzi‘s and senior Steven Vasquez‘s final statlines did not stand out, both of their presences were felt on the court.
“(They) really gave us positive shots in the arm,” Miles said.
Both played in overtime, Goodarzi with 19 minutes, a team-leading plus-minus of +19 and Vasquez getting 14 minutes.
“They came into the game with a good energy, lifting the team, seeing stuff, telling us stuff they saw on the bench which helped us too,” sophomore guard Latrell Davis said. “(Vasquez) came into the game, had a good stretch playing good defense, making them turn the ball over, that’s when they had the most turnovers.”
Vasquez finished with one steal. Goodarzi finished with 4 points, one three pointer and a free throw.
