Photo credit: @SJSUAthletics

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — It’s obvious the San Jose Spartans have a nightmarish record this season, but the players and coaches had something to smile about as the team hosted its Senior Night against the Utah State Aggies in the Event Center on Wednesday night.

From the Spartans’ perspective, their series history with the Aggies hasn’t been pretty. Utah State has won 21 straight games dating back to 2008 and hold a 60-21 advantage in the all-time series vs. San Jose State. Not only that, SJSU hasn’t won a conference game at home since February 18, 2017, against the Air Force Falcons. The Spartans beat the Falcons 83-78 in overtime.

The Spartans fell behind early in the game as the Aggies’ Koby McEwen, Julion Pearre and Sam Merrill overpowered the Spartan defense with four 3-pointers along with a jumper and a layup. However, the Spartans were able to pick themselves up off the ground and tie the game at 16 apiece at the 11:50 mark.

Spartans’ Jaycee Hillsman hit a three to give his team a 19-16 lead at the 11:11 mark, but the lead was short-lived as Merrill quickly responded with a three of his own. McEwen and Diogo Brito followed up with shots of their own to help the Aggies to a larger lead.

Yet, SJSU didn’t let USU’s lead discourage them. Welage and Fisher each hit a jumper to pull the Spartans within one with 7:23 left.

The Spartans tied the game at 29 apiece, thanks to Hillsman’s jumper with 4:41 left. Ashtin Chastain made a pair of free throws to put the Spartans up 31-29 with four minutes left, but the Aggies quickly responded on Merrill hit a three to pull his team within one just six seconds later.

Both teams exchanged leads numerous times, but the Spartans played efficient defense and the game was tied at 37 apiece at the end of the first half.

Spartans’ halftime stats: 15-27 FG-FGA (total), 2-4 FG-FGA (3-pointer), 5-9 FT-FTA, 6 offensive rebounds, 12 defensive rebounds, 18 total rebounds, 6 PF, 37 TP, 5 A, 6 TO, 1 Blk, 1 Stl, 100 Min.

Again, both teams exchanged leads numerous times, but the home crowd erupted when Welage hit a three to put the Spartans back on top 52-49 at the 11:43 mark.

The Aggies tied the game at 52 apiece on Daron Henson’s three at the 12:23 mark, but the Spartans re-tied the game at 54 apiece on Fisher’s jumper with 8:41 left and picked up a 60-58 lead a little over three minutes later.

Welage hit a jumper to extend the Spartans’ lead to four points, but Dwayne Brown Jr. pulled the Aggies within two with a little over two minutes left.

However, SJSU didn’t press the panic button yet. Isaiah Nichols hit a jumper to put the Spartans up by four with 53.1 seconds left.

The Spartans’ challenged the Aggies’ play, but the officials reviewed the play and determined that it was a two-point field goal. SJSU continued to lead USU by two points with 11.3 seconds left.

The Spartans held onto that two-point lead for a 64-62 win over the Aggies. With the win, SJSU won their first conference game of the season.

Spartans’ full-time stats: 25-54 FG-FGA (total), 5-14 FG-FGA (3-pointer), 9-15 FT-FTA, 12 offensive rebounds, 25 defensive rebounds, 37 total rebounds, 13 PF, 64 TP, 9 A, 10 TO, 4 Blks, 3 Stls and 200 Min.

Notes
Spartans’ starting lineup: Keith Fisher III, Oumar Barry, Jalen James, Jaycee Hillsman and Ryan Welage.

Aggies’ starting lineup: Koby McEwen, Sam Merrill, Julion Pearre, Quinn Taylor and Dwayne Brown Jr.

Up Next
The Spartans conclude the regular season in Colorado as they take on the Air Force Falcons on Saturday at 1 pm PT.