By Haddy Barghouti (HB_SportsBeat) – Spear Reporter | Sophomore guard Jermaine Washington attempts a layup as Wolf Pack senior guard Tayshawn Comer contests during San Jose State’s 87–54 loss. (Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
San Jose State men’s basketball (6–13, 1–7 MW) dropped its eighth game in its last nine outings Tuesday, unable to find an offensive rhythm in an 87–54 loss to Nevada (14–5, 6–2 MW) at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nev.
The Spartans struggled to find consistency on offense throughout the night, shooting 33% from the field and just 17% from 3-point range. Nevada took advantage, finishing 51% from the field and 57% from beyond the arc.
SJSU trailed 39–26 at halftime, but was outscored 48–28 in the second half as the Wolf Pack pulled away.
Nevada controlled the game inside the paint and off the bench. The Wolf Pack scored 32 points in the paint compared to the Spartans’ 20 and received 34 bench points, while SJSU managed just six.
The Spartans continued to play with a depleted roster, missing four key players. However, sophomore guard Jermaine Washington returned after missing three games and finished with 14 points.
Freshman guard Melvin Bell Jr. led SJSU with 15 points, marking his eighth consecutive game scoring in double figures.
“Tough night in the Mountain West,” SJSU head coach Tim Miles said in a postgame statement on the Spartans’ athletics website. “Felt we got some good performances. Melvin Bell, I thought, continues to perform well.”
Sophomore forward Elijah Price grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded four of the Wolf Pack’s five blocked shots, while senior guard Corey Camper Jr. led all scorers with 19 points.
Both teams played relatively clean games, as SJSU committed seven turnovers, tying its season low, and Nevada had five. However, the Wolf Pack moved the ball more efficiently, recording 21 assists to the Spartans’ six.
SJSU will close out its two-game road trip at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Arena-Auditorium in Laramie, Wyo.
