Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By Ana Kieu

The San Jose State Spartans concluded its back-to-back conference series against the Utah State Aggies at the Smith Spectrum on Wednesday evening.

Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau switched up his starting five, which featured Omari Moore, Seneca Knight, Sebastian Mendoza, Ralph Agee, and Hugo Clarkin.

After a scoreless one minute and 51 seconds, USU got on the board as guard Brock Miller knocked down a jumper to make it 2-0 Aggies. The game was tied at 3-3 at 17:16, thanks to a three-point jumper from SJSU guard Sebastian Mendoza. But the Aggies stifled the Spartans’ starters and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the first half.

If there were any silver linings to the Spartans’ lackluster play, it would be Seneca Knight, Sebastian Mendoza, and Hugo Clarkin. All three of them contributed to the Spartan offense and kept the team to a manageable deficit. SJSU trailed USU 42-25 at the end of the half.

Sadly, the second half didn’t provide relief for the Spartans, who were outscored 43-27 before the final buzzer sounded. USU forward Justin Bean opened the scoring with a two-point tip shot just 26 seconds into the half. The Aggie offense continued to wreck havoc on the Spartans’ defenders, who missed a lot of shots and turnovers. SJSU guard Caleb Simmons wrapped up the scoring with a lone free throw, but it was too little, too late. The Spartans fell to the Aggies 85-52.

SJSU fell to 1-4, 0-2 Mountain West. Richard Washington led the Spartans with 11 points.

USU improved to 5-3, 2-0 Mountain West. Rollie Worster led the Aggies with 15 points.

The Spartans continue their conference slate with a game against the Boise State Broncos on December 31 at 5:30 pm PT.