By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Managing Editor | Sophomore guard Latrell Davis attempts a free-throw during SJSU’s 67-58 win against Wyoming. (Photo by Denim Bragg- Freelance Photographer)
It wasn’t pretty, but the Spartans got it done.
San Jose State (12-12, 5-7 MW) defeated Fresno State (5-18, 1-11 MW) 94-91 in double overtime. This marked the first time SJSU has won in Fresno since Jan. 10, 2009.
But with 1:15 to go in the second half SJSU trailed 67-60 and it looked like they would once again come up short in Save Mart Center.
Things changed when sophomore guard Latrell Davis hit a three to bring the game within four. This was followed by senior guard Josh Uduje going 1-2 at the free-throw line and junior guard Will McClendon hitting a three with 31 seconds left to tie it at 67.
Bulldogs junior forward Alex Crawford missed the game winning 3-point attempt and the game would go to overtime.
The Spartans would have to compete in overtime without junior center Robert Vaihola, who fouled out with 3:19 left to go in the second half. Vaihola got into foul trouble early and head coach Tim Miles had to limit his minutes.
Graduate student center Chol Marial would come in to replace Vaihola’s minutes. With graduate student forward Sadaidriene Hall and junior forward Sadraque NgaNga both inactive on the game, Marial became the last natural low-post player left in the rotation.
The Bulldogs outscored the Spartans in the paint 56-38.
In the first overtime period Davis had a bad pass turnover which led to a Fresno State basket that would send the game into double-overtime.
But Davis would be the one to provide the big shots to get the Spartans to come out on top. Davis would hit three 3-point shots in double overtime to cement the SJSU victory.
Davis would finish the game with a career-high 30 points while shooting 6-11 from 3-point range. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists.
Davis has now set career highs in points three out of the last four games.
Both teams caught the turnover bug as it seemed every time someone would grab the lead, they would turn it over and the game would be back at square one.
With seven seconds left in the game a foul would be called on Marial sending Bulldogs freshman forward Elijah Price to the line. This was Marial’s fifth foul and he would also foul out leaving the Spartans without any forwards or centers left to play.
The Spartans finished the game with 16 turnovers and the Bulldogs finished with 15.
Price would make his free-throw, bringing the game to 92-91 still in favor of SJSU. McClendon would get fouled on the in-bound and hit both of his free-throws.
Bulldogs sophomore guard Zaon Collins would miss their third game winning shot attempt of the game and the Spartans held on for their first victory in Fresno since Paul Geogre was playing for the Bulldogs.
Uduje put up a double-double while pairing his season-high 30 points with a season high 11 rebounds. Uduje scored 11 of the first 19 points for the Spartans.
In the first half Uduje took a hard foul on a dunk attempt and was shaken up. He would end up not missing any game time as would end up shooting his free throws.
Marial would finish the game with four points, six rebounds and three blocks in a season-high 31 minutes played.
Against his former team, graduate student guard Donovan Yap Jr. put up 13 points while also grabbing four rebounds.
SJSU is now on a two-game winning streak but they have a tough challenge ahead of them as they travel to Boise State (16-7, 5-4 MW) 6 p.m. on Friday.
Boise State is 10-1 at home.
