Tag: Mountain West Conference

San Jose State falls short in a wild game, losing 87-86 to Boise State

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By Ana Kieu

The San Jose State Spartans looked to start the new year on the right foot as they wrapped up a back-to-back series against the Boise State Broncos at Grand Canyon University Arena on Saturday. Unfortunately, the Spartans weren’t granted that wish, but it was a closer outcome than expected as they fell short 87-86.

The Spartans’ starting lineup featured Omari Moore, Richard Washington, Trey Smith, Nate Lacewell and Ralph Agee. The Spartans won the tip and were underway in Phoenix. Lacewell made a shot from the 3-point line to help the Spartans get on the board 3-2 at the 19-minute mark of the first half. Lacewell’s five early points helped the Spartans hang tough as they trailed 8-5 at 15:10 of the half.

Jalen Dalcourt entered the game to make his Spartan debut. Dalcourt went on to hit a 3-pointer and accumulated seven points at the final media timeout of the half. SJSU trailed 31-24 with 3:30 left in the half.

Richard Washington buried back-to-back triples to give the Spartans a much-needed boost with 45 seconds left in the half. The Spartans trailed by eight, 42-34, heading into the locker room at halftime.

Omari Moore opened the second half with a 3-pointer from the corner. A little less than three minutes later, Nate Lacewell hit another 3-pointer from downtown. The Spartans trailed by four, 46-42, at 16:20 of the half.

SJSU picked up the pace. Richard Washington knocked down a 3-pointer and Jalen Dalcourt followed up with two and one to help the Spartans to a 53-52 lead at 13:24 of the half.

SJSU experienced some hiccups, but they fought hard to pull off an upset. Richard Washington was back with his old tricks, scoring 19 points (5-of-8 from the 3-point line) and Jaen Dalcourt drew a foul on a 3-point attempt and knocked down all three attempts at the charity stripe. Ralph Agee made a pair of free throws to help the Spartans regain the lead, 70-69, with 6:30 left in the half.

The Spartans’ upset never happened, but it was a closer outcome than expected. Richard Washington’s seventh triple made it a one-point game with 14.6 seconds left in the half. The Spartans had a chance to win the game on their final possession, but they missed a potential game-winning shot.

The Spartans lost 87-86. SJSU fell to 1-5, 0-4 Mountain West.

BSU improved to 8-1, 4-0 Mountain West.

The Spartans face their recently added nonconference opponent Benedictine Mesa Redhawks (0-3) on Monday, January 4 at 6:30 pm PT. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

San Jose State taken down by Boise State 106-54 in first game of Phoenix trip

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By Ana Kieu

San Jose State men’s basketball looked to snap a four-game losing skid against the Boise State Broncos on New Year’s Eve. After all, who wouldn’t want to ring in the New Year with a bang?

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case as the first game of the teams’ back-to-back series was lopsided from the get-go. The Spartans got blown out by the Broncos 106-54 at the Ability 360 Sports and Fitness Center on Thursday evening.

Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau switched his starting lineup, moving Richard Washington in for Seneca Knight and Trey Smith in for Sebastian Mendoza.

Ralph Agee led the Spartans early in the first half with 6 points. Still, the Broncos led 13-9 at the under-12 timeout.

Nate Lacewell knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner before drawing a foul. Lacewell shot 2 out of the break. The Spartans trailed 43-22 with 3:58 left in the half.

Though Ralph Agee had 10 points and Trey Smith added 7 points at the break, the Broncos’ potent offense stymied the Spartans. Both Derrick Alston and Marcus Shaver were in double figures. The Spartans trailed 54-29 going into the locker room.

The Spartans dug themselves into a hole that they couldn’t crawl out of.

Derrick Alston hit two 3-pointers in the first 70 seconds of the second half. Alston went on to score 21 points for his fourth straight 20-point game. Abu Kigab recorded his first double-double of the season.

The Spartans trailed 71-32 at 15:33 of the half. Yet, the Broncos continued to pour it on in the half. Emmanuel Akot hit back-to-back 3-pointers with 8 minutes left in the half.

The Broncos finished with four players in double figures: Derrick Alston with 23 points, Marcus Shaver Jr. with 14 points, Emmanuel Akot with 13 points, RayJ Dennis with 13 points, and Abu Kigab with 12 points.

The Spartans suffered a 106-54 loss to the Broncos. SJSU fell to 1-5, 0-3 Mountain West. BSU improved 7-1, 3-0 Mountain West.

The Spartans and Broncos meet again on Saturday, January 2 in a nationally televised game on FS1 at 6:30 pm PT.

San Jose State no longer undefeated after losing to Ball State 34-13 in Arizona Bowl

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateFB

By Ana Kieu

The #22 San Jose State Spartans battled it out with the Ball State Cardinals in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium on New Year’s Eve. The Arizona Bowl was a battle between two conference champions who wanted to make program history, but it wasn’t in favor of the Spartans.

The short-handed Spartans fell behind early. The Cardinals started fast and handed the Spartans their first loss of the season, 34-13.

Derrick Deese took a nasty hit and landed on his head on the first play of the game. Deese went to the injury tent and later headed into the locker room.

BSU wasted no time getting going, scoring the game’s first 27 points.

SJSU quarterback Nick Starkel’s pass was intercepted and Antonio Phillips returned it for 53 yards for a touchdown. Jacob Lewis missed the extra point. The Cardinals took a 6-0 lead at 12:47 of the first quarter.

Will Jones ran for 3 yards for a touchdown. Jacob Lewis kicked an extra point. The Cardinals took a 13-0 lead at the 10-minute mark of the first.

Ty Evans ran for 3 yards for a touchdown. Jacob Lewis kicked an extra point. The Cardinals made it 20-0 with 5:15 left in the first.

Drew Plitt ran for 1 yard for a touchdown. Jacob Lewis kicked an extra point. BSU led 27-0 at the end of the first.

SJSU couldn’t catch a break in the second quarter.

Although Jacob Lewis missed a short-range field goal early in the second quarter, SJSU backup quarterback Nick Nash threw an interception into the end zone. SJSU quarterback Nick Starkel walked off the field holding the back of his knee after completing a 38-yard pass to Dominic Mazotti. Mazotti held his wrist, too.

SJSU kicker Matt Mercurio missed a 49-yard field goal attempt to close out the first half. The Spartans trailed 27-0 heading into the locker room for halftime.

BSU opened the scoring in the second half. Drew Plitt threw a pass to Yo’Heinz Tyler, who ran 48 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals extended their lead to 34-0 with 9:42 left in the third quarter.

SJSU showed signs of life on offense, but their offensive efforts weren’t enough. Charlie Bostic III returned Jacob Lewis’ punt 99 yards for a touchdown. The Spartans’ 2-point conversion was ruled as no good. The Spartans trailed 34-6 with 9:28 left in the third.

Nick Starkel returned to the field. Starkel threw a pass to Jermaine Braddock, who ran for 8 yards for a touchdown. Matt Mercurio kicked in an extra point. The Spartans trailed 34-13 with 1 second left in the third, and were down 34-13 after three quarters.

BSU maintained their 34-13 lead in the fourth quarter. Despite their efforts, the Spartans lost to the Cardinals 34-13. Both teams finished their respective seasons with respectable 7-1 records.

SJSU quarterback Nick Starkel announced that he’ll return for a final college football season. SJSU will look to replace some offensive seniors in the offseason.

San Jose State falls to Utah State 85-52

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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.

San Jose State blown out by Utah State 107-62

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By Ana Kieu

San Jose State men’s basketball opened their 2020-21 conference slate with a road trip to Logan, Utah to take on the Utah State Aggies. The two-game series began on Monday night at 6 pm PT.

The Spartans’ starting five featured Omari Moore, Richard Washington, Seneca Knight, Chase Courtney, and Hugo Clarkin. Courtney made his first career start and grabbed three boards by the 15-minute mark of the first half. Even so, SJSU fell behind early, and suffered a brutal loss to USU 107-62.

The Aggies jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but Richard Washington tied the game at 3-3 at 18:31. Omari Moore helped the Spartans take their first lead of the game, 4-3, with a free throw at 17:34.

USU wasn’t a force to be reckoned with. Rollie Worster knocked down a jumper to extend the Aggies’ lead to 11-4 at 15:15. SJSU appeared to be disoriented for a little bit as Chase Courtney missed a jumper and a layup, but managed to bounce back, thanks to Sebastian Mendoza and Richard Washington. Mendoza’s three-pointer jumper cut the Aggies’ lead to 23-11 at 10:29.

Seneca Knight made a layup and cut the Aggies’ lead in half, 32-16, with 5:56 left in the first half. However, USU continued to dominate offensively and defensively to maintain a double-digit lead. Marco Anthony had a dunk and Justin Bean grabbed a defensive rebound as the half came to an end. The Aggies took a 47-26 lead into the locker room.

The Aggies used a 19-0 run to open the second half and take complete control of the Spartans, USU took a 40-point lead, 66-26, at 15:01. Sebastian Mendoza knocked down a jumper to end the Aggies’ run at 14:51.

Sebastian Mendoza’s glimpses of tremendous talent weren’t enough to bring the Spartans back to life. The Aggies reached the century mark with 4:08 remaining as Zahar Vedischev knocked down a jumper to make it 101-55. Harminder Dhaliwal’s late jumpers and rebounds were gravity defying, but a lost cause, as the Spartans took a tough loss, 107-62, to the Aggies.

Richard Washington led the Spartans with 20 points. SJSU fell to 1-3, 0-1 Mountain West. USU improved to 4-3, 1-0 Mountain West.

The Spartans conclude their series against the Aggies on Wednesday, December 23 at 6 pm PT.

San Jose State beats Boise State 34-20 for first Mountain West football title

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateFB

By Ana Kieu

This year, San Jose State has been in the news for the right reasons.

Saturday marked the Spartans’ first Mountain West championship game, which was aired on FOX, and their opponent was the Boise State Broncos, a conference foe who has won three out of four championships–2014, 2017 and 2019–since joining the Mountain West in 2010. The Spartans held on to win 34-20 to remain undefeated at 7-0 and become the 2020 Mountain West football champions. 

The Spartans put their game faces on and took deep breaths prior to the kickoff at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. SJSU received the opening kick, but Boise State forced a 3 and out, took over a punt and an offensive play led to a Broncos first down. However, the Broncos’ drive stalled at the Spartans’ 29-yard line, and SJSU took over. Nick Starkel threw a 55-yard pass to Tre Walker, who ran it in a touchdown. The extra point was good. SJSU took a 7-0 lead with 8:36 left in the first quarter.

Boise State finally got on the board late in the quarter. Jonah Dalmas’ 51-yard field goal attempt cut the Spartans’ lead to 7-3 with 3:31 left in the first.

With back-to-back sacks, Cade Hall became the first Spartan since 2012 to have 10+ sacks in a season. Hall achieved this feat in less than seven games. The Spartans led 7-3 at the end of the first.

The Spartans struck again early in the second quarter. Matt Mercurio kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it 10-3 Spartans just 14 seconds into the quarter.

Matt Mercurio added his second field goal of the quarter–a 36-yarder. The Spartans made it 13-3 with 6:40 left in the second.

Matt Mercurio added his third field goal of the quarter–a 26-yarder. As a result, Mercurio recorded a season-high three field goals, and achieved this feat in less than two quarters. The Spartans’ lead was extended to 16-3 with 2:31 left in the second.

Matt Mercurio went on to tie the NCAA record for field goals with four. Mercurio kicked a 32-yard field goal for a 19-3 lead with 50 seconds left in the second.

Jonah Dalmas wrapped up the first half with a 51-yard field goal. The Broncos cut the Spartans’ lead to 19-6 with one second left. SJSU took a 19-6 lead into halftime.

The Broncos received the ball to start the second half. Avery Williams, the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year, returned a 69-yard punt for a touchdown, and tied the NCAA record for career return touchdowns. The extra point was good, and Boise State cut SJSU’s lead to 19-13 with 2:48 left in the third quarter.

Just like that, SJSU was back in the game. Nick Starkel threw a 30-yard pass to Isaiah Hamilton for a touchdown. Starkel then threw to Sam Olson for a two-point conversion. The Spartans took a 27-13 lead at the 14:17 mark of the fourth quarter.

Boise State made it a one touchdown game midway through the fourth. Hank Bachmeier ran for two years for a touchdown, and the extra point was good. The Spartans led 27-20 at the 10:51 mark of the fourth.

SJSU had no fear as Derrick Deese collected Nick Starkel’s pass and ran for a 1-yard touchdown. The extra point was good. The Spartans led 34-20 with 3:48 left in the fourth. 

The Broncos finished the season with a 5-2 record.

Notes: SJSU defeated the Nevada Wolf Pack 30-20 in Sam Boyd Stadium last Friday and broke into the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2012 on Sunday.

In his Monday press conference, Spartans head coach Brent Brennan said: “It was a mad scramble, but through everybody’s hard work, we got it done. Our offense got it done, our defense gave us a heart attack, but our defense came through and we had a great time, a really great time for us to come together.”

In his Tuesday press conference, Spartans defensive lineman Cade Hall, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, emphasized the importance of not only his accomplishments, but also his teammates’ hard work.

Hall said: “I’m playing for my teammates, especially for the guys who have been here for all the hard years of this program. I’m playing for them. They deserve it. They put in a lot of hours than I have. They’ve been here longer than I have. They deserve to be a part of a team that has a lot of success and takes this program where it wants to go.”

Up Next: The Spartans will play the Ball State Cardinals in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson on New Year’s Eve.

San Jose State’s non-conference game against Santa Clara cancelled

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Photo credit: 247sports.com

By Ana Kieu

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — San Jose State men’s basketball was scheduled to wrap up their non-conference slate versus the Santa Clara Broncos at the Kaiser Permanente Arena on Friday night.

Unfortunately, SJSU’s annual non-conference game versus Santa Clara was postponed due to an issue that prevented the Spartans’ COVID-19 tests from arriving in time for the tip-off.

The game was originally scheduled for 6 pm, and was pushed back to an 8 pm or 8:15 pm start before the unfortunate postponement. There are no plans for the Spartans to reschedule.

SJSU remains a lowly 1-2, while Santa Clara remains a perfect 6-0.

The Spartans kick off a conference slate against the Utah State Aggies on Monday, December 21 at 6 pm.

Cal Bears Football podcast with Michael Duca: Is bringing back the Pac 12 all about health and safety or the big bucks?

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Cal Bears and Pac 12 Football will return on November 6th the first of a seven game schedule and will be headed up by Cal Bears head coach Justin Wilcox (USA Today file photo)

On the Cal Bears Football podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 There have been arguments already about the return of Pac 12 football namely that it is a mistake for them to return after it was originally postponed. The Cornavirus count has not gone down and could hit as many as 250,000 into January and February. Is the Pac 12 making the responsible decision in enacting a new season next month?

#2 The Pac 12 CEO and University of Oregon president Michael Schill said Thursday that health and safety is one of the Pac 12’s number one priority. Do you still see right through the real motive here that these universities are under immense pressure by the alumni donars, sponsors and parents of the student athletes because it’s really about the bottom line?

#3 The Mountain West also with the Pac 12 announced they will return in November and like the Pac 12 the MWC will tell you this is all about that the students and their academics come first, and as student athletes that their health and safety and following the safety protocols for the players and it’s team personnel and education come first before anything else.

#4 The Pac 12 has a seven game season starting Nov 6th and the MWC plans to have a eight game season starting October 24th. Did the conferences decide to play this fall because they feel it was better for more interest to than in the spring?

#5 Pac 12 men’s and women’s basketball is also set to return on Nov 25th which gives basketball just a month to prepare and get ready for regular season play other than the safety issues do you see this being like any other Pac 12 basketball season and being competitive and worry free?

Michael Duca does analysis on the Cal Bears at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NCAAB podcast with Michelle Richardson: Sooners clear winner over OSU; Indiana’s Wesson scoring helps Hoosiers to win; plus more

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photo from yahoo.sports.com: Oklahoma forward Kristian Doolittle (21) pushes past Oklahoma St guard Avery Anderson III (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020.

On the NCAAB podcast with Michelle:

#1 The Oklahoma Sooners (14-7) took it to Oklahoma State (10-11) 82-69 in Norman Oklahoma on Saturday The Sooners outscored the Cowboys in the first half but in the second half both teams were pretty even 39-39 it wasn’t enough for Oklahoma State in the loss.

#2 The Ohio State Buckeyes (14-7) defeated the Indiana Hoosiers (15-7) 68-59. The Hoosiers Kaleb Wesson led the team with 15 points total but couldn’t get back in the game.

#3  The New Mexico Lobos (16-8) got handed a tough loss on Saturday from the Fresno Bulldogs (8-14) in Mountain West action 82-77. For New Mexico Zaine Martin and Keith McGee finished with 18 points a piece to lead the Lobos and for Fresno Orlando Robinson led the Bulldogs with 20 points.

Michelle does the NCAAB podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

SJSU gets blown out by UC Riverside 80-65

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State returned home to open a three-game homestand and to snap a seven-game losing skid at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.

SJSU hosted Star Wars Day. That being said, the blue and gold force was with Spartan Nation.

SJSU’s starting lineup featured Brae Ivey, Seneca Knight, Omari Moore, Christian Anigwe and Ralph Agee. Agee was in the starting lineup for the second straight game.

SJSU opened the first half with a 8-2 run initially sparked by Omari Moore’s three-pointer just 22 seconds into the game, but the Spartan defense began to falter midway through the half. UCR took its first lead of the game, 22-21, with 9:55 left in the half. The Highlanders’ Angus McWilliam made the go-ahead layup.

SJSU, however, refused to let the game slip away. The Spartans’ Sam Japhet-Mathias hit a three with 9:11 left in the half. Moore made a paint jumper and a fastbreak dunk in a 20-second span. Knight made a paint layup and a free throw with 5:41 left

The Highlanders’ Zyon Pullin ended the Spartans’ little run with a paint and fastbreak layup with 5:33 left in the half. From there, UCR took a 32-31 lead, thanks to Pullin’s layup with 3:32 left. Both teams made pairs of fastbreak free throws in the closing minutes, but it was the Highlanders who held on for a 39-37 lead over the Spartans at the break.

SJSU had some work to do in the second half. Agee hit a three just 1:03 in, but the Highlanders responded with layups by George Willborn III and Callum McRae at 18:43 and 18:08, respectively, for a 43-42 lead. Pullin made a pair of free throws and Dikymbe Martin hit a three to extend the Highlander lead to 48-42 at 16:34.

The Spartans’ Brae Ivey hit a three, but got fouled. By adding a free throw, Ivey completed the four-point play regardless. Yet, SJSU trailed 52-49 at 14:26.

Ivey and Zach Chappell made their respective pairs of free throws, but the Highlanders’ Arinze Chidom hit a three to help his team maintain an 11-point lead, 64-53, with 9:09 left.

The Highlanders’ Khyber Kabellis threw down a dunk to extend his team’s lead to sixteen, 80-64, with 2:04 left. The Spartans quickly responded with Chappell’s fastbreak free throw six seconds later, but lost by a final of 80-65.

With the win, UCR improved to 8-5, 0-0 Big West. With the loss, SJSU fell to 3-9, 0-2 Mountain West.

SJSU hosts Pepperdine on Saturday, December 28 at 6 pm PST.