By Andrew Talamantes (@DrewTooSavvy):
SJSU’s late-game comeback fell short as it lost 81-64 to the University of San Diego.
With 10:43 remaining in the first half, sophomore guard Isaiah Nichols made two free throws, cutting USD’s lead to 18-15.
After that, the Spartans went scoreless for three minutes and the Toreros took full advantage, going on a 16-0 run to extend the lead to 31-15 with 7:16 left in the half.
The Toreros outshot the Spartans from beyond the arc, shooting 52 percent compared to SJSU’s 23 percent.
SJSU struggled from the free thrown line as well, often making only one out of two shots, and shooting eight for the entire game.
Most of SJSU’s offense came from junior guard Jaycee Hillsman who scored 13, and Forward Ryan Welage who led the team with 17 points.
However, that’s where it hurt the Spartans the most. Their leading scorers were also leading players in shots missed on the team, shooting a combined 9-26 together.
As a team, SJSU shot 38 percent from the field, a shooting percentage the just isn’t going to cut it against a well coached team from third-year head coach Lamont Smith.
The Spartans had a tough time closing out on shooters, and stopping USD from getting to the hole. Allowing the Toreros to shoot 57 percent from the field for the game.
Leading the Toreros in scoring was junior guard Isaiah Wright, who led all players in the game with 22 points.
Junior guard Olin Carter III added 18 points of his own, showing that the Spartan guards were no match for the Torero’s tonight.
With 14:13 left in the second period, the Spartans were down by 30 points. However, with strong takes to the rim and second chance points, San Jose State was able to cut that lead to 13 with just under six minutes remaining in the game.
SJSU was unable to complete the comeback, as they fell to the University of San Diego who managed to force the Spartans to turn the ball over and showed a more balanced offense.
The Spartans have four days to turn it around as they head to Utah to play Southern Utah on Thursday at 2 p.m.