By Haddy Barghouti (HB_SportsBeat) – Spear Reporter | Redshirt freshman guard Ben Roseborough dribbles past two East Bay defenders during SJSU’s 73-60 victory. (Photo by Max Garcia – Spear photographer)
San Jose State men’s basketball opened its season at home against California State East Bay, earning a 73-60 victory.
The Spartans overcame a halftime deficit, trailing 38-26. They would dominate the second half, however, outscoring the Pioneers by 24 points and securing the win.
Senior guard Javaughn Hannah, playing in his first game for SJSU, led the Spartans with 17 points and two three-pointers. SJSU was 0-for-6 from beyond the arc in the first half, but Hannah hit two consecutive threes to start the second half, helping spark the Spartans’ run.
“It was key for us to come out at halftime and make sure we were sharing the ball with each other, and I just happened to get some open shots and knock them down, which helped our momentum for sure,” Hannah said. He continued, saying the team rode that momentum in the second half, making stops and playing together to secure the win.
In his first game for the team, junior guard Colby Garland added 12 points on five field goals. As one of the team’s veterans, he is also providing guidance and confidence to the younger players heading into the season.
“Being older, I went through that freshman experience. Obviously, you’re going to have jitters out there, it’s a crowd, it’s different from high school,” Garland said. “The pace is different, guys’ bodies are different, and the physicality level is different.”
Spartans head coach Tim Miles remains confident heading into regular-season play despite integrating many new players.
“Every team has to learn how to win; every team’s different, especially in college,” Miles said. “Every year we’re putting in four or five new guys, eight new guys now in today’s climate.”
In addition to their eight new players, the Spartans have seven freshmen on the 15-man roster. Coach Miles played 14 of his players in Monday’s game but alluded to the fact he plans to trim the rotation to nine for the start of the regular season.
The two teams also faced off in an exhibition game last season, with the Spartans coming out on top 75-61.
The Spartans will open their regular season on Monday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m., traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah, to face the Utes at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
