By Sara Biela — Executive Editor
Transfer junior Michael Steadman recorded his fifth double-double of the season as San Jose State men’s basketball (3-10, 0-1 MW) fell to conference-rival Fresno State (10-3, 1-0 MW) Wednesday night, 73-53.
The forward was the only Spartan to hit double figures with 18 points and 10 rebounds as the team shot 35.3 percent.
Senior guard Oumar Barry got SJSU on the board first with a made layup, but FSU responded and took a 7-point lead four minutes in.
Although the Spartans kept pace for majority of the first half, the Bulldogs finished the final five minutes on a 18-0 run and shot 60.7 percent from the field. They were also 8-of-14 from beyond the arc.
“It can only take five minutes for our team,” said head coach Jean Prioleau. “We have to be able to play with better composure. I think we just missed our reads when a guy was open.”
San Jose State put on a different performance in the second half as the defense held Fresno State to 26 points and 3-of-15 3-point shooting.
However, the damage was already done as the team dropped its Mountain West opener. The bench outscored FSU 16-11, with 7 points coming from guard Zach Chappell.
“I wanted to bring a spark off the bench and play as hard as I can,” the freshman said. “If my shots are there, I’m taking them but if not, I’m fine with fouls.”
Nate Grimes and Noah Blackwell led Fresno State in scoring with 19 and 17 points, respectively.
SJSU will continue MW play at No. 11 Nevada (14-0, 1-0 MW) on Wednesday, January 8. The Wolf Pack will take on New Mexico before their bout with the Spartans.
“We need to execute on the little things, like boxing out and not turning over the ball,” Steadman said. “With competitors like us, we look forward to playing a nationally ranked team. We’ll have that energy and play at 100 percent, no matter who we play.”
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