By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Reporter | Junior center Rob Vaihola goes up for a layup during SJSU’s 85-78 loss against Utah State. (photo by Evan Weiss – KSJS photographer)
San Jose State’s (7-10, 0-5 MW) 85-78 loss against No. 25 Utah State (15-1, 5-0 MW) highlighted what has been the story of the 2024-2025 season so far, competing against tough competition but not being able to finish.
Four out of the five conference games SJSU has been within seven points or less. This is impressive in a tough Mountain West conference but closing off the games is what will make a positive impact on the team’s record.
“I feel like it just comes down to execution,” graduate student guard Donovan Yap Jr. said. “I feel like we do a good job in spurts but it comes down to execution to be able to get over the hump.”
In the first half SJSU was outscored 45-36 which head coach Tim Miles attributed to the defense making it too easy for Utah State to score. But, in the second half the Spartans outscored Utah State 42-40.
“There was a lot more effort,” Miles said about the second half defense. “We were the more physical team and we were the more aggressive team and I think you could see that.”
Yap Jr. set the tone for the Spartans as he started the second half with a steal and a layup. He followed this up by drawing a charge and then hitting a three on the next possession.
“Coach was really preaching for us to come out playing hard defensively and I just wanted to set the tone for my team,” Yap said.
Yap was the Spartan’s leading scorer with 22 points as he also shot 6-10 from three-point range. Yap also tallied four assists.
Sophomore guard Latrell Davis scored 20 points off the bench, grabbed four rebounds and drew six fouls. Davis shot 7-9 from the free-throw line.
Davis left the UNLV game with an injury on Saturday and according to Miles missed practices but was able to bounce back against the Aggies.
“I just love how aggressive he is,” senior guard Josh Uduje said. “It changes the dynamic of our team. He hit some crazy grenades but we’re used to seeing Davis do that sort of stuff.”
Junior center Rob Vaihola grabbed 11 rebounds against a very physical Aggies team including some big boards to have SJSU only trailing by three with 1:50 to go.
“We hope to see him do that more often,” Uduje said. “Especially that stretch in the second half where he had four offensive rebounds in a row.”
Despite all of the positives, what it came down to was SJSU only making one of its last 15 shot attempts and getting no field goals in the last 2 minutes of the game.
“Our record isn’t an indicator of how good we are as a team,” Uduje said. “That’s the No. 25 team in the country and it’s a three possession game. I think we’re going to shock some people as things go on.”
SJSU will look to bounce back on the road against Air Force (3-11, 0-3 MW) on Jan. 11 at noon.
