Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State Spartans men’s basketball team opened its 2018-19 season versus the Life Pacific College Warriors inside the Event Center on Wednesday night. SJSU was seeking their third straight season-opening win and third straight win over LPC. Last season, SJSU routed LPC 109-70 at home.

Perhaps it was the loud, rabid crowd (and yes, that includes the uber-talented SJSU Cheer squad) that fired up the Spartans, who opened the first period with a 9-0 run, thanks to Brae Ivey’s 3-pointer, Zach Chappell’s layup, Seneca Knight’s pair of free throws on the fastbreak and Oumar Barry’s layup in the paint. The Warriors then responded with a 8-0 run of their own, which consisted of Edgardo Campo’s two threes and Chez Lister’s layup on the fastbreak.

Both teams exchanged threes, free throws and layups throughout the first, but the Spartans played high-quality defense to keep themselves on top. SJSU carried a 49-38 lead over LPC to the locker room at halftime. Moreover, Knight led the Spartans 15 points, one assist, one steal, one block plus 5-10 shooting from the field goal line, 3-6 shooting from beyond the arc and 2-2 shooting from the free throw line in 12:08 minutes at halftime.

The Spartans continued to dominate early in the second period. Michael Steadman threw down a dunk to expand SJSU’s lead to 13 for a 51-38 advantage just 52 seconds into the second. This time, SJSU didn’t go on a prompt run, as Adam Gotelli hit a three to reduce the Warriors’ deficit to 10 for a tinier trail of 51-41 just 24 seconds later.

Gotelli proceeded to give the Spartans a hard time with a jumper in the paint and a subsequent field goal. Also, Andre Allen made a layup to pull the Warriors within nine at the 16:43 mark of the second.

However, SJSU wasn’t bothered by LPC’s efforts. Christian Anigwe made a pair of free throws. Knight wrecked some more havoc with a layup and some other shots. Ivey and Chappell made their pairs of free throws, respectively. And, let’s not forget, Isaiah Nichols’ three. Nichols was one of the biggest forces on the Spartans’ roster last season.

The Spartans remained at a steady pace for the remainder of the second. SJSU defeated LPC 89-72 for its first win of the season. Spartan nation received coupons for free tacos from Chacho’s and went home happy, which was excellent considering the fact the Spartans’ football team has been pretty darn bad this season.

Notes
SJSU’s starting lineup boasted Michael Steadman, Zach Chappell, Oumar Barry, Brae Ivey and Seneca Knight.

SJSU’s projected roster featured Steadman, Ivey, Chappell, Barry, Knight, Isaiah Nichols, Christian Anigwe, Noah Baumann, Kaison Hammonds, Craig Lecesne, Brian Rodriguez-Flores, Ashtin Chastain and Trey Smith.

Up Next 
The Spartans host the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Saturday, November 10 at 6:00 pm PT.