By Jarra Gojolo— Staff Writer
It was anything but smooth sailing against the Pilots.
Richard Washington scored 11 points as the Spartans (1-1) dropped Sunday’s matchup to the University of Portland (1-1) 72-57.
The Spartans struggled to shoot the ball, connecting on just under 40 percent of their attempts from the field.
“They just played good defense,” SJSU guard Seneca Knight said. “They tried to get there before we got there, so they forced a lot of tough situations where we kad to kick the ball back out. They were just a step ahead of us.”
Fellow guard Brae Ivey says the Spartans had a hand in their own downfall.
“They were in gap defense,” Ivey said. “Meaning any time we drove there was gonna be someone in the gap, and we’re stepping into an open shot. I don’t think it was so much their defense as it was just us.”
The Spartans, who were toward the bottom of the Mountain West last year in three-point percentage, only connected on six of their 26 attempts from downtown. Despite the misses, Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau doesn’t have a problem with their shot selection from deep.
“We had wide open looks and we didn’t make them,” Prioleau said after the game.
“We’ve been shooting, for the last two or three months, a lot of three’s because we know that our offense is gonna produce that type of shot. We hit them in the second half against Hofstra, and we did not today.”
The Spartans missed 11 of its 16 attempts from the free throw line, “easy points” that Knight and Prioleau say played a big part in Sunday’s loss.
“It doesn’t mean that we win the game, but it changes the dynamic,” Prioleau said. “The defense was actually doing what it needed to do, but it can only hold on for so long. I think it comes down to us being able to make those free throws when we’re getting fouled.”
On Thursday, the Spartans travel to Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats, who are currently No. 21 in the Associated Press’ top-25 poll.
The past two games have been important leading up to their PAC-12 opponent, according to Prioleau.
“I thought we had great composure at Hofstra.” he said. “Because each and every game is different, even though we’re at home, it doesn’t mean you shoot out and [go] up 20-5. You might have a situation where teams are ready to play, they’re making plays, and you have to be able to play within that and not lose your composure.”
The players have a simpler approach to Thursday.
“We gotta believe, because no one else is gonna believe in us, so it’s up to us to stay together,” SJSU guard Brae Ivey said after the game.
Seneca Knight is already echoing Ivey’s sentiment.
“Arizona’s tough. but I feel like we can compete with them. We’re just as talented.”
Follow Jarra on Twitter @JarraGojolo
