Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By: Ana Kieu

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — San Jose State men’s basketball kicked off its non-conference slate against the Fresco Pacific Sunbirds at Kaiser Permanente Arena on Wednesday evening.

The Spartans’ starting five featured Omari Moore, Richard Washington, Seneca Knight, Michael Ofoegbu, and Hugo Clarkin. Ofoegbu and Clarkin earned their first career starts.

The Spartans wasted no time getting into the groove. Richard Washington got nine points early in the first half. Omari Moore made things look easy by pushing the pressure, driving in a bucket, bumping off contact, and fading away. Chase Courtney scored his first career bucket.

A familiar sight returned when Seneca Knight became a playmaker on the hardwood. SJSU led Fresno Pacific 39-15 at the under-eight, and Richard Washington had a game-high 12 points. Washington recorded 23 first-half points as the Spartans cruised to a 52-32 lead at the end of the first half.

The Sunbirds weren’t pushovers in the second half. Fresno Pacific jumped out to a 17-1 run to start the second. They pulled within 13 with 15:14 left in the second and it took them less than one minute to cut their deficit to 10.

The Spartans’ offense was nonexistent as the Sunbirds came from behind to take a short-lived lead. The Sunbirds also cut the Spartans’ lead to single digits and maintained a manageable deficit for a good chunk of the second.

The game was tied 71-71, but Richard Washington made a pair of free throws to help the Spartans take a 73-71 lead with 5:13 left in the second. Washington added another pair of free throws to extend the Spartans’ lead to 75-71 a little over one minute later.

The Spartans rose up and led the Sunbirds by six, 77-71, with 3:23 left in the second. Omari Moore needed a basket, but was fouled out. SJSU tried to play with more grit in order to hold on for the win. Moore blew past a Fresno Pacific defender for a reverse layup and Trey Smith added a free throw.

The Spartans beat the Sunbirds 87-79. SJSU improved to 1-0, while Fresno Pacific fell to 0-1. Richard Washington led the Spartans with a career-high 37 points and 12 rebounds.

The Spartans head to Moraga, Calif. to take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Friday evening at 7 pm PT.