By Ernie Gonzalez — Executive Editor
It wasn’t the type of conference game the Spartans have been accustomed to this season, but that didn’t change the result as SJSU topped Air Force, 68-60 Saturday at the Clune Arena.
For one, it wasn’t a fast start.
Coming off an explosive 31-point first quarter at home on Wednesday, the Spartans squeaked a season-low 10 points after the first 10 minutes. SJSU averages 19 points per first frame in league play.
In the first half, both teams took turns with a 4-point lead after each of the first two quarters. SJSU led only 46-39 after three frames and took control in the final 10 minutes.
Third quarters are where the Spartans have made it a habit of cooking their opponents. But that wasn’t the case. The Spartans simply toyed around with the Falcons and waited until crunch time — talk about habits — to close it out.
What this showed is that the Spartans can pull out a W with grit. They fought, they adapted and they came out on top. To be held to 68 points, 10 below their average, SJSU would have needed to rely on their defense. And that’s what happened.
Neither team shot over a 40 percent clip, with the Spartans the closer squad to that mark at 39 percent and the Falcons at 35.
But winning games that don’t suit a team’s specific style of winning is what the Spartans did today in Colorado Springs. That’s what separates the top of the conference from the middle of it.
Sophomore guard Ayzhiana Basallo was the lone scorer on the floor to eclipse 20 points. It was the eighth time this year the conference player of the year frontrunner reached that mark.
But two brains are better than one, and let’s not forget what junior Tyra Whitehead brought to the table, either.
It was the first game of the conference season Whitehead entered the game averaging a double-double. Well, she didn’t disappoint, finishing with 11 points and 16 rebounds for the second consecutive game.
The Spartans as a team improved both their overall win streak and their road win streak to five games and their conference record to 8-1.
As for the Falcons, they are now 2-7 in conference play and have lost five straight.
SJSU hosts Boise State, a team on its tail in the Mountain West standings, Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.
Follow Ernie on Twitter @superego1012