By Haddy Barghouti (HB_SportsBeat) – Junior guard Colby Garland takes a jumpshot over Stanford graduate student guard Jeremy Dent-Smith during SJSU’s 86–82 loss. (Photo by Tylen Pelaez — The Spear)
San Jose State men’s basketball (5-6, 0-0 MW) came up short in a late comeback attempt, falling 86-82 to Stanford (8-2, 0-0 ACC) on Saturday night at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
The Spartans trailed by as many as 14 points but cut the deficit to two with 28.4 seconds remaining after a layup from senior forward Yaphet Moundi off a pass from junior guard Colby Garland.
SJSU then forced a stop and had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Stanford redshirt sophomore center Aidan Cammann poked the ball loose, leading to a foul that sealed the Cardinal’s win.
“I didn’t have a good look, I pulled it behind my back. I was planning on going for three, just trying to win it,” Garland said. “I trusted my teammate. He had 26 points tonight, so I trust him. If it comes again, I’m going to make the same decision. I’m going to give it to him again, and next time he’s going to score.”
Moundi scored a career-high 26 points on 8-for-14 shooting and went 10-for-11 at the free-throw line. The Spartans’ 18-for-20 performance at the stripe was a bright spot for a team that has struggled shooting efficiently throughout the season.
SJSU head coach Tim Miles said the final play was designed to spring Garland downhill, a look that had worked throughout the night.
“The play was designed for a drive for Colby, which we had been getting all night in our Spain action,” Miles said. “We ball-screen and then backscreen the big guy, and we were able to get that three times. We actually got elbowed in the face so we didn’t get a great screen, Jermaine didn’t get a great screen on the big guy. It wasn’t intentional; it’s just what happened.”
Garland added 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting, his sixth 20-point performance of the season.
He briefly left the game in the second half with what appeared to be an ankle issue, but returned at the 8:40 mark and played the closing minutes.
“I just kind of rolled on it,” Garland said. “Got it taped so I just came back out. I should be all right though. I’m good.”
Rebounding proved to be a major difference, with Stanford controlling the glass 34-19.
The Spartans also struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 6-for-17, while the Cardinal went 9-for-18 and started the game 5-for-5 from deep.
Stanford was led by graduate forward AJ Rohosy with 20 points on 8-for-9 shooting, and senior forward Chisom Okpara also finished with 20 points on 5-for-6 shooting.
Despite the loss, SJSU stayed competitive by taking care of the ball, committing only eight turnovers compared to Stanford’s 20.
However, two Spartan starters had off nights. Sophomore guard Jermaine Washington scored just four points, his season-low, and senior forward Sadraque NgaNga went scoreless with no rebounds for the first time this season.
The Spartans’ bench provided a boost, as redshirt sophomore forward Adrian Myers scored 14 points and guard Pasha Goodarzi hit three 3-pointers, the most on the team.
“Staying confident with my shot and just playing inside-out, that’s what’s going to keep me confident,” Myers said.
The loss continues a long drought against Stanford. SJSU has not defeated the Cardinal since 1992, and Stanford has now won seven straight in the series.
SJSU will now shift to conference play for the remainder of the regular season and will face New Mexico in its Mountain West opener at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M.
