Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

LAS VEGAS — After the San Jose State Spartans lost a close game to the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 82-76 at the Event Center on Jan. 3, they traveled 520 miles to the Thomas & Mack Center for a conference rematch on Jan. 31.

Prior to the match, San Jose State was a cellar-dwellar who lost nine consecutive games, while UNLV just won their previous game, 88-78, over San Diego State on Jan. 27. So it was safe to say that both teams wanted to win this one badly.

The Spartans got off to a fast start with a 5-0 run early in the first half. Ashtin Chastain made a layup and Noah Baumann followed up with a 3-pointer. The Runnin’ Rebels then gave the Spartans a hard time as they went on a 14-2 run in a span of 2:50 to put SJSU behind 16-9 at the 12:41 mark of the half.

The Spartans responded, regaining a lead (26-23) with 7:25 left in the half, thanks to Keith Fisher’s offensive skills. Ryan Welage made the most out of his chance to extend SJSU’s lead, nailing a three for the final bucket of the half.

Yet, SJSU continued to trail UNLV 39-34 at the half. Welage led all Spartans in scoring with 12 points. The Spartans had eight assists and two turnovers.

Prior to a media timeout, SJSU trailed UNLV 70-61 with 4:15 left in the second half. The Spartans reduced the lead to 71-63 on Fisher’s jumper, but the Runnin’ Rebels went ahead 76-63 with just a little over a minute remaining in regulation. UNLV’s Jordan Johnson hit a three and Shakur Juiston followed with a slam dunk.

Spartans’ Jaycee Hillsman made two layups with less than a minute remaining, but the Spartans fell short as they lost to the Runnin’ Rebels 76-67.

Despite the loss, four Spartans in D-F scoring and Welage led with 21 points. The Spartans had a season-low seven turnovers. Oumar Barry had a career-high 12 points.

For the Runnin’ Rebels, Brandon McCoy had 22 points and 17 rebounds.

Notes
Spartans’ starting lineup: Ashtin Chastain, Ryan Welage, Keith Fisher, Noah Baumann and Jalen James.

For the Spartans, this was their last #Assist4Literacy game of the season. Feel free to make any last minute pledges at pledgeit.org/sjsu.

Up Next
SJSU heads home to host New Mexico on Saturday at 3 pm PT.