By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
Less than a month ago, San Jose State upset top-ranked New Mexico met inside the Event Center in a thrilling nine point win, but the two will meet again Saturday afternoon in Albuquerque.
In that Jan. 6 contest, the Spartans (6-15, 3-7 MW) ripped off 26 and 27 points in the third and fourth quarters respectively, propelling them to victory.
They did that even without their experience guard, Myzhanique Ladd, who exited the game with four minutes remaining because of injury.
Since that game, the Lobos (17-6, 5-5 MW) are 2-5 overall, but remain one of the most dangerous home-conference teams in the league (14-1).
Ladd has been absent in recent games too, however, as she’s been kept to eight or fewer points in back-to-back contests, a stat that has the Spartans scrambling for a leader on the court lately.
Sophomore point guard Taylor Turney also has hit a wall, as she is has shot 2-17 for just seven points in the previous two games combined and is 6-27 going back to the Boise State game.
SJSU continues to have issues in the rebound department, as it still has not come away victorious after losing the rebound battle in a game. Safe to say the boards tell the story.
With New Mexico being the second smallest squad in the Mountain West in front of the Spartans, look for the rebound category to shape itself near equal.
The outcome of the game will depend on which team shows up Saturday afternoon, for both teams that is.
If the efficient home Lobos team comes to play, the same one that leads the conference in points per game (83.3) and field goal percentage (.431), it will be a long afternoon and flight back home for the Spartans.
However, if the Spartans bring the same attitude they had at home on Jan. 6 into the Dreamstyle Arena, can play high-quality basketball for 40 minutes on both sides of the court, a season-sweep against the Lobos won’t seem as unlikely.
Tip-off is at 1 p.m.
