Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State men’s basketball wrapped up the 2019 home slate with a … Wednesday night in the Event Center.

Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau went with a starting lineup featuring Noah Baumann, Seneca Knight, Ashtin Chastain, Michael Steadman and Zach Chappell.

Prior to the tipoff, SJSU honored senior Oumar Barry. Barry signed a National Letter of Intent with the Spartans in 2017 after stops at DePaul University from 2015-16 and Iowa Junior College from 2016-17. Barry graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia. Barry was also a top-10 rated high school prospect in Virginia.

The Spartans won the tip and the game went underway. Jake Hendricks got the party started by hitting a 3-pointer and giving the Cowboys a 3-0 lead at the 18:47 mark of the first half. Then, SJSU got on the board when Chastain shot a free throw to cut Wyoming’s lead to 3-1 just 30 seconds later.

But the Cowboys poured in the points for a little over four minutes until Baumann hit a 3 to end the Spartans’ scoring drought at the 12:46 mark. As a result, Baumann extended his school record to 27 consecutive games with a 3. SJSU proceeded to pick up the pace as Baumann hit a 3, LeCesne made a layup and Ivey hit a 3. LeCesne shot a pair of free throws, Christian Anigwe threw down a dunk and Baumann hit a 3 to bring the Spartans within seven, 28-21, with 8:14 left.

There was still some hope in SJSU, who was down by 10, 31-21, but Baumann came to the rescue with back to back 3s to bring the Spartans within four, 31-27, with 6:16 left. Baumann made it a one-point game with a 3 and LeCesne made a layup to help the Spartans snatch a 32-31 lead with 4:19 left.

The two-minute mark proved to be the introduction to a back and forth affair between the two teams. Justin James shot three free throws in a row to put the Cowboys back on top 36-35, but Steadman knocked down a jumper in the paint to help the Spartans regain the lead, 37-36, but Wyoming was back in the game with back to back 3s by James and A.J. Banks. SJSU trailed 42-37 at halftime.

Once again, Hendricks opened the scoring by shooting a free throw just nine seconds into the second half, but Baumann hit a 3 to bring the Spartans within three, 43-40, at the 19:21 mark. The score remained close until Hendricks shot a fastbreak free throw to put the Cowboys ahead 50-44 at the 16:43 mark. That was the start of the Cowboys’ 5-0 run that extended their lead by 10, 54-44, at the 14:40 mark. Isaiah Nichols ended the Cowboys’ run with a layup in the paint along with a free throw just 35 seconds later. Ivey added a fastbreak free throw to bring the Spartans within eight, 54-48, at the 13:32 mark.

Despite the fact SJSU inched their way into the game, Wyoming was a tough customer. The Spartans pulled within six, 56-50, thanks to Steadman’s jumper at the 12:55 mark. Baumann shot a pair of free throws to keep the Spartans within six, 58-52, at the 10:23 mark, but his personal efforts weren’t enough to suppress the Cowboys.

SJSU went on a 6-0 run, courtesy of Steadman’s jumper, Baumann’s pair of free throws, Ivey’s jumper and Chastain’s layup. SJSU’s run was ended by James’ dunk with 4:59 left.

Steadman shot a pair of free throws to make it a one-point game, but Hendricks hit a 3 to put the Cowboys back on top 68-64 with 4:33 left.

Fast forward to the two-minute mark when the Cowboys pretty much took over. Particularly, Hendricks, who hit two 3s, and James, who shot four free throws — two fastbreak and two regular. Banks added three throws — two regular and one fastbreak — to make it a 10-point game with 45 seconds left. Steadman knocked down a jumper in the paint to avoid a double-digit loss, but his efforts were ruined by the Cowboys, who added in a pair of fastbreak free throws to hand the Spartans a 81-71 loss.

SJSU falls to 4-25, 1-16 MW, while Wyoming improves to 7-23, 3-14 MW.

SJSU concludes the 2019 season with a road game at rival Fresno State Saturday, March 9 at 4:00 pm on the Mountain West Network.