San Jose State Spartans forward Sadraque NgaNga (99) takes a jump shot on the Nevada Wolfpack’s guard Corey Camper (4) at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose on Tue Feb 17, 2026 (San Jose State Spartans X photo)

By Ryan Hannagan
San Jose, Calif.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — San Jose State ended its eight game losing streak in emphatic fashion Tuesday night, knocking off the Nevada Wolfpack 87-71 at Provident Credit Union Event Center.

The Spartans (7-19, 2-13 Mountain West), who had not beaten the Wolf Pack since January 2020, delivered one of their most complete performances of the season despite being without four starters. Jermaine Washington Jr., Yaphet Moundhi, Javaughn Hannah and Ben Roseborough all remained sidelined due to injury.

San Jose State entered the night short handed and near the bottom of the Mountain West standings, while Nevada (17-9, 9-6) came in fourth in the conference and heavily favored. The Wolf Pack defeated the Spartans 87-54 in their previous meeting.

The Spartans wasted little time setting the tone.

San Jose State opened the game on an 11-3 run, fueled by back-to-back 3-pointers from Nganga. The Spartans hit their first five attempts from beyond the arc and built a heavy lead, forcing Nevada to burn an early timeout.

Adrian Meyers paced the offense early, scoring 11 points in less than seven minutes, with most of his production coming from long range. Nevada struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting 33% midway through the first half.

San Jose State did not attempt its first free throws until the final three minutes of the half, underscoring its efficiency from the field. The Spartans carried a 47-32 lead into halftime, shooting 52% from the field and 52% from 3-point range while dishing out 12 assists and grabbing 18 rebounds.

Nevada shot 41% in the first half and just 20% from beyond the arc, while also getting out rebounded by the smaller Spartans.

The Wolf Pack responded with urgency in the second half.

Nevada increased its physicality inside and began attacking the rim, earning frequent trips to the free throw line. Five minutes into the half, the Wolf Pack had attempted 18 free throws, converting 15, compared with just four attempts for San Jose State.

The surge cut the Spartans’ lead from 15 to six, as Nevada’s halftime adjustments and San Jose State’s foul trouble shifted momentum.

But the Spartans answered.

Colby Garland drilled a 3 pointer to push the lead back to double digits, and Pasha Goodzari followed with another from deep. San Jose State extended its advantage to 13 with 8:55 remaining and maintained control the rest of the way.

The Spartans finished 30 of 58 (52%) from the field and 15 of 29 (52%) from 3 point range. Nevada shot 22 of 55 (40%) overall and just 3 of 20 (15%) from long distance.

Nevada held a significant edge at the free throw line, going 24 of 32 (75%), while San Jose State finished 12 of 19 (63%).

The Spartans outrebounded the Wolf Pack 38-32 and recorded 18 assists. Both teams committed 15 turnovers.

San Jose State’s largest lead was 18 points. Nevada never led.

For a team battered by injuries and a difficult season, the victory marked a much needed bright spot as the regular season winds down.