By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Reporter | SJSU junior center Rob Vaihola at the free-throw line during SJSU’s 117-80 win against Lincoln on Dec. 9. (photo by Nikita Bankar – Spear Editor)
SJSU men’s basketball (9-11, 2-6 MW) took a tough 75-64 loss to Nevada (11-7, 3-4 MW) after winning two straight conference games.
“Nevada is a very tough team, a very physical team,” head coach Tim Miles said in a video posted to the athletics website. “In the first half, I thought they got away from us on the rebounding. They kept getting extra opportunities.”
The Wolf Pack won the rebounding battle 37-26 in the game with seven coming from junior forward Nick Davidson. Davidson also put up 23 points.
Wolf Pack fifth year guard Xavier Ducell proved to be trouble for the Spartans going 5-8 from three-point range for a total of 15 points in the game.
“It was that stretch where we were down three and then it was turnover, turnover, missed shot,” Miles said. “They made three’s down the final four minutes and that was the difference in the game.”
Despite the loss, five Spartans scored double-digit points.
Junior center Rob Vaihola tied with three other players for SJSU’s leading scorer with 12 and he grabbed six rebounds. This marks the second straight game Vaihola has tied or been in sole possession of SJSU’s leading scorer.
Sophomore guard Latrell Davis once again proved to be a valuable scoring option off of the bench as he put up 12 points while scoring two threes and going 4-5 from the free-throw line.
The Spartans look to bounce back against Wyoming (9-9, 2-5 MW) at home on Jan. 25 at 4:30 p.m.
