By: Mohammad Najimi (@mnajimisjsu) – Spear Reporter | Junior forward Marcus Overstreet sets a pick on Bethesda junior guard Zeke Bennett to help sophomore guard Jermaine Washington get to the basket on Nov. 17. (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – Spear photographer)
San Jose State’s (1-3) commanding 110–56 win over Bethesda (0-5) on Monday night was more than an early-season blowout, it was a showcase of emerging talent.
The headline performance came from junior forward Marcus Overstreet, who finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds. He seized control inside the paint right when he entered the game.
After making an appearance in his previous match against Michigan State, Overstreet looked far more assertive and confident with the extended run.
“When we recruited Marcus, he had one of the best rebounding rates in the country,” SJSU head coach Tim Miles said. “His ability to rebound the basketball for his minutes played, his possessions played, is off the charts.”
Between Overstreet’s breakout double-double and the debuts of freshmen center Eren Karakaya and forward Douglas Langford, the Spartans saw meaningful contributions from players who could play significant roles as the season unfolds.
Karakaya finished with seven points and two rebounds while Langford added six points and four rebounds, each showing poise in their first official minutes. Their contributions highlighted the depth that Miles has been working to build.
Garland said what impressed him most about Karakaya and Langford wasn’t just their production, but their approach.
“I think the biggest thing that I’ve seen that I was impressed by is the mental capacity and the mental work that we can play with as new guys,” Garland said.
For teammates, Overstreet’s performance wasn’t an unexpected eruption, it was the culmination of strong practices and a steady build of trust.
“I think a big thing with Marcus is he’s been great over the last month. In practice every day he’s been going in hard,” junior guard Colby Garland said. “He won his spot and he was focused on the details tonight.”
Sophomore guard Jermaine Washington also credited Overstreet’s early-season reps for accelerating his growth.
“He played really good. He didn’t really need to do too much,” Washington said. “Him playing, getting his minutes against Michigan State really gave him a boost and showed us what he could do on the floor.”
Miles emphasized development and detail-oriented play with his young roster and said he enjoyed seeing the freshmen execute what they’ve been drilling.
“I think just following the game plan, making sure that they stay in step with whatever they’re supposed to be doing,” Miles said. “To see them do it right over and over, change it up a little bit to see their attention to detail, and to challenge them a little bit is always fun too.”
For the Spartans, the win served two purposes. It notched their first win of the season, but provided valuable real-game minutes for players who will be asked to contribute as the season intensifies.
The Spartans will stay home as they take on the Southern University Jaguars at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
