Tag: San Jose State

San Jose State suffers tough loss to Air Force 87-56 in MWC Tournament

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Photo credit: @AnaKieu

By: Ana Kieu

LAS VEGAS — Coming off an appalling season, 11th seed San Jose State played in their fifth Mountain West Tournament Wednesday as they opened play against 6-seed Air Force in the Thomas & Mack Center.

SJSU’s starting five featured Michael Steadman, Zach Chappell, Noah Baumann, Seneca Knight, and Ashtin Chastain.

SJSU opened the scoring with a 13-0 run, thanks to Knight, Baumann, and Chappell. Knight hit back-to-back 3s, Baumann hit a 3 and made a jumper, and Chappell made a jumper. Chris Joyce made a jumper in the paint and a free throw to end the Spartans’ run. Still, the Spartans led 13-3 at the 16:25 mark, and Baumann broke the school record for most 3-point baskets made in a season with 79.

From there, it was a back-and-forth affair between SJSU and Air Force. Chastain made a jumper in the paint to extend the Spartans’ lead to 15-3, but Joyce and Lavelle Scottie made back-to-back jumpers. Not only that, Scottie and Caleb Morris hit back-to-back 3s to bring the Falcons within 2 points at the 11:40 mark.

Shortly after, Ameka Akaya made a jumper to tie the game 15-15 at the 10:01 mark. Ryan Swan followed up with a 3 to give Air Force their first lead of the night, 18-15, with 8:57 left. Baumann made a jumper to bring SJSU within 1 just 54 seconds later. But the Falcons went on a 10-0 run to stump the Spartans, who trailed 28-17 with 5:44 left.

SJSU picked up the pace, thanks to Baumann, Steadman, and Knight, and cut the deficit to 32-23 with 2:43 left. Knight made a layup in the paint to trim the deficit to 8 just 62 seconds later. Chastain hit a 3 with only 3 seconds remaining. However, the Spartans were unable to recover the lead, so the efforts of the starting five were attention-grabbers, but not game-changers.

SJSU trailed 36-28 at the halftime break.

SJSU opened the second half with a 3 by Chappell, but the Air Force shooting was pretty hot. The Spartans never got re-energized like @SJSUMBB suggested at halftime and the Falcons used a 17-2 run to extend their lead to 22 points at the 11:34 mark. Joyce upped his point total to 17, which was a new career-high.

SJSU trailed 75-49 at the final timeout with 3:52 left. Air Force put on a dribbling exhibition for the final minutes of the game to close things out.

SJSU lost to Air Force 87-56. The Spartans were eliminated from the Mountain West Tournament, while the Falcons advanced to the quarterfinals against the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Falcons vs. Bulldogs game will be played Thursday at 8:30 pm PST on the CBS Sports Network.

Follow @AnaKieu on Twitter for SJSU football and men’s basketball coverage.

Two major gifts support San Jose State football operations center

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

San Jose State University is pleased to announce that it has received two major gifts to support a new football operations center on the east side of CEFCU Stadium, home of the Spartans. Thomas Thompson, ’72 Behavioral Science, and his wife, Jane Bradley, have committed $500,000 to support the development of the new football facility, with a remaining percentage of their trust to establish the Thomas E. Thompson Athletics Scholarship. SJSU Athletics is also proud to share that an additional gift of $500,000 has been committed to support their football center by an anonymous donor.

“Both of these gifts come from long-time football season ticket holders and steadfast supporters of our Athletics program,” said Marie Tuite, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “They are also keenly aware of the importance and significance of completing the funding for the football operations center. Tom and Jane believe in San Jose State and support the mission of the entire university. Our anonymous donor may be one of my favorite individuals–he simply wants us to build the football center and enhance the opportunities for our football program. I’m offering a sincere and gracious ‘thank you’ to these terrific Spartans.”

By supporting the creation of the new SJSU football operations building, these gifts will enable future generations of Spartan athletes to pursue an education while playing NCAA Division I  sports.

Bringing Sport to New Heights
At 6-foot-8, Thompson gravitated toward basketball at a young age, playing in high school and community college. He later transferred to SJSU. Thompson was the first in his family to graduate from both high school and college–achievements that made it possible for him to pursue careers in juvenile probation, construction management, trade association management and real estate. He and his wife are grateful for the opportunity to give back to his alma mater.

“Jane and I want to show our appreciation to SJSU and to assist future students,” said Thompson, a long-time fan of SJSU football and basketball. “San Jose State provided my only opportunity for a good education at essentially no cost, and a great foundation to help me later earn a graduate degree. With the scholarship, we hope that students will have the chance to play football or basketball while earning a degree, just like I did.”

The anonymous donor, who graduated from SJSU in the 1960s, is also a loyal fan of Spartan football.

“I am making this gift because I believe the football program is moving in the right direction under the leadership of Marie Tuite and Coach Brennan,” the anonymous donor said. “I know there are other Spartans like me who care deeply about this program and want to see it thrive. It is my hope that other Spartans will join the growing group of donors in doing what they can to provide Coach Brennan and the program with the resources necessary to compete in the Mountain West.”

“Our momentum continues to build as we move closer to our goal of creating modern, vibrant spaces for our student-athletes and our fans,” said Paul Lanning, vice president for university advancement and CEO of the Tower Foundation. “We are so excited to see donors like these and so many others investing in the future of SJSU football, Athletics and the university.”

To track fundraising progress and learn how you can support Spartan football, please visit sjsufootball.com or contact Josh Thiel, Deputy Athletics Director for Athletics Advancement, at (408) 924-1697 or joshua.thiel@sjsu.edu.

About San Jose State University
The founding campus of the 23-campus California State University system, SJSU provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in 250 areas of study–offered through its eight colleges.

With more than 35,000 students and nearly 4,370 employees, SJSU continues to be an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley and the state, annually contributing 10,000 graduates to the workforce.

The university is proud of the accomplishments of its more than 270,000 alumni, 60% of whom live and work in the Bay Area.

About San Jose State Athletics
SJSU sponsors 22 (nine men’s and 13 women’s) NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports programs for approximately 470 student-athletes annually. In football, the Spartans are a member of Division I’s FBS, the NCAA’s highest level of competition.

The Spartans’ primary conference affiliation is with the MW. Selected teams belong to the MPSF, the WAC, and the GCC.

SJSU has 10 NCAA team championships and 52 NCAA individual titles. 62 Spartans competed in one or more Olympic Games. SJSU athletes have won seven gold, six silver and seven bronze medals at the Olympics.

Annually, about one-third of the student-athlete population earns either institutional, conference or national recognition based on outstanding academic performance.

San Jose State/Mountain West Tournament podcast with Ana Kieu: Men’s basketball sets sights on Mountain West tournament; Spring football madness; plus more

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB, @SJSUSpartanFB, and sjsuspartans.com

On the San Jose State podcast with Ana:

1. SJSU lost to Wyoming 81-71 and was unable to get a win for Oumar Barry on Senior Night last Wednesday.

2. More than two dozen SJSU student-athletes called donors to thank them for their support of the Spartan Athletics Fund and SJSU’s 22 Division I sports programs last Wednesday.

3. SJSU closed out the 2018-19 season with a horrifically embarrassing loss 121-81 at Fresno State last Saturday.

4. SJSU has been putting in work in spring football to prepare for the 2019 season.

5. What does SJSU need to do to beat the No. 6 Air Force Falcons in the first round of the Mountain West Conference men’s basketball tournament?

Ana recorded the San Jose State podcasts each week for SportsRadioService.com. Catch Ana on the San Jose Earthquakes podcasts as the Quakes’ season progresses.

San Jose State loses to Wyoming 81-71 in final home game of the season

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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.

San Jose State podcast with Ana Kieu: Men’s basketball looks forward to closing out the season; Football culture is a priority; plus more

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB and @SJSUSpartanFB

On the San Jose State podcast with Ana Kieu:

1. SJSU got blown out by SDSU 84-56 last Saturday.

2. SJSU will host Wyoming tonight.

3. Beyond Football has been shaping a culture at SJSU.

Ana Kieu does the San Jose State podcasts each week for SportsRadioService.com

San Jose State hosts Wyoming in battle of bottom-feeders Wednesday night

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

San Jose State men’s basketball has been slated to host another conference foe, the Wyoming Cowboys, in the Event Center Wednesday night. This time, the Spartans vs. Cowboys matchup will be a battle of bottom-feeders, but only one of these two teams will prevail in the end.

Here’s what you need to know before Wednesday’s conference matchup:

This Week
San Jose State (4-24, 1-15 Mountain West) hosts Wyoming (6-23, 2-14 Mountain West) Wednesday at 7 pm PST before traveling to Fresno State for a rivalry game Saturday at 4 pm PST. Wednesday night’s game will also be Senior Night as Oumar Barry will be honored prior to the game.

Last Week
The Spartans picked up their first Mountain West win of the season with an 89-82 victory over New Mexico at home last Tuesday. The Spartans then suffered a loss at San Diego State 84-56 Saturday night.

Spartan Stat
Spartans junior forward Michael Steadman tallied his third-straight double-double at San Diego State Saturday in Viejas Arena. Steadman finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Steadman’s double-double was his 10th of the season, which was also the third most in the Mountain West.

Spartan Facts

San Jose State Athletics releases statement on former football head coach Dick Tomey

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

Via tuscon.com

Remember when former San Jose State football head coach Dick Tomey led the Spartans to the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, N.M. against–you guessed it–the New Mexico Lobos in 2006? SJSU won that game 20-12 and handed a loss to UNM. Tomey’s hard work ethic played a role in the Spartans’ win.

According to Tuscon.com, Tomey asserted: “Let’s win the game first.”

Tomey didn’t care if his players were tired or the weather was unfavorable. Tomey gave his undivided attention to college football. Tomey coached the Spartans from 2005 to 2009.

10 years later, Tomey was diagnosed with lung cancer, which was saddening to say the least. I haven’t actually interviewed Tomey, but I grew up watching Spartan football and he was one of the many coaches that I’ve seen in person. Tomey was definitely more than a coach — he was also a mentor and friend to a lot of folks.

Tomey provided the vital leadership and vision to significantly overhaul the academic deficiencies that plagued the SJSU football program at the time he became head coach. SJSU became the model institution among NCAA Division I FBS for academic reform.

In appreciation for Tomey’s continued athletics program involvement and impact, the Dick Tomey Class Act Award is presented each spring at the SAMMY Awards sponsored by SJSU’s SASS unit.

On Thursday, SJSU Athletics released a statement: “The entire San Jose State University community is saddened to learn that beloved football coach Dick Tomey is undergoing treatment for lung cancer. We hold Coach Tomey in very high regard for everything he has done for our university and, specifically, for our football program since he became a member of family in 2005. Even after he concluded being our head football coach, he continues being a viable mentor, trusted voice of reason, visionary, and loyal friend to our student-athletes, coaches, athletics staff and friends of our athletics program. Our best wishes go out to Coach Tomey, his family and all who love and adore him during this challenging time.”

Tomey’s family previously released a statement: “Coach Dick Tomey was recently diagnosed with a type of lung cancer at Tucson Medical Center and is currently undergoing further tests this week at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

“We (Coach and his family) greatly appreciate all the people who have reached out to help in so many ways and all the expressions of love and well-wishes being sent our way from so many people. Following Coach Tomey’s example, our family is feeling very grateful and hopeful for a positive outcome.”

29 San Jose State football players named to Academic All-Mountain West Team for Fall 2018

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

An all-time high 57 San Jose State student-athletes from five sports were named to the Fall 2018 Academic All-Mountain West team.

The 57 student-athletes are an all-time high at SJSU for this past fall, including an all-time high 29 Spartan football players. SJSU has the second-most football award winners in the MW.

Spartan volleyball had nine players honored, tying for the most honored since joining the MW in 2013. Women’s soccer had nine players honored, followed by women’s cross country at six and men’s cross country at four.

Five Spartan student-athletes received their fourth Academic All-MW honor — Luiza Andrade (volleyball), Darriell Franklin (women’s soccer), Craig Huff (men’s cross country), Josh Oliver (football) and Jeanette Zambrano (women’s cross country). Seven students-athletes received honors for the third time in their career, while 13 Spartans earned Academic All-MW recognition for the second year. 32 achieved the recognition for the first time in their career.

“We are elated to recognize a record-number of Spartans who exemplified academic prowess this past fall,” said Eileen Daley, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic and Student Services. “We reach these goals by setting high standards, providing academic support and genuinely investing in the academic achievement of our student-athletes. The ongoing partnerships with our academic team, coaches and student-athletes have led to this success. This Mountain West recognition also provides incentive for more student-athletes to continue their hard work and effort in the hopes of standing among their peers as Scholar-Athletes.”

To earn Academic All-MW recognition, a student-athlete must complete at least one semester, maintain a 3.00 or better cumulative GPA and participate in at least 50% of the contests for the season.

A league-record 703 student-athletes have been named to the Fall 2018 Academic All-MW team. Sports recognized include men’s and women’s cross country, football, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball.

San Jose State podcast with Ana Kieu: Former linebacker soaks in first AAF win; Hapless an understatement for men’s basketball; plus more

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB and @frankginda05

On the San Jose State podcast with Ana Kieu:

1. Frank Ginda, a former Spartan linebacker, and the San Diego Fleet soaked in their first AAF (Alliance for American Football) win 24-12 over the Atlanta Legends on Sunday, February 17th.

2. SJSU lost its 16th in a row last Wednesday 91-70 at home against the Colorado State Rams.

3. What were your thoughts on SJSU’s games against Air Force and New Mexico?

Ana Kieu records the San Jose State podcasts each week for SportsRadioService.com

SJSU earns first conference win of the season

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State men’s basketball resumed their hunt for their first conference win of the 2019 season Tuesday evening. SJSU hosted the New Mexico Lobos inside the Event Center. There was a healthy mix of both Spartans and Lobos fans in attendance, which was a highlight considering the fact that the Spartans haven’t really sold out in recent years.

Prior to the tipoff, SJSU announced a starting lineup featuring Noah Baumann, Seneca Knight, Ashtin Chastain, Michael Steadman and Zach Chappell. That was a solid lineup. It was just a matter of fact of whether or not the Spartans were able to hold on to secure a win.

UNM got on the board first as Carlton Bragg made a layup to open the scoring. SJSU then snatched a 3-2 lead on Baumann’s 3-pointer just 15 seconds later. Baumann extended his school record to 25 consecutive games with a 3. Steadman followed up with a layup and Chappell hit a 3 to make it a 8-2 game at the 18-minute mark.

The game turned into a back and forth affair. UNM knocked back to back jumpers by Corey Manigault and Makuach Maluach, and SJSU was within four after Chastain made a layup.

SJSU got ahead 14-7 on back-to-back jumpers by Steadman and Chastain. Sure, Keith McGee helped keep the score close for UNM with a 3 and fastbreak layup, but Steadman continued to dominate on the hardwood with a layup, jumper in the paint and vice versa. Christian Anigwe also dominated with a pair of free throws to make it a 20-14 game at the 12:27 mark.

The game remained in a back and forth affair. The Lobos’ offense heated up, but the Spartans refused to back down, making it a 1-point game, thanks to Chappell’s 3 with 7:14 left.

Chappell helped the Spartans grab a 31-30 lead with 6:24 left, but it was short-lived as the Lobos got ahead 32-31 on Manigault’s jumper in the paint 15 seconds later.

Baumann came to the rescue with two 3s in less than a minute to give the Spartans a 37-34 lead with 4:36 left. But the Lobos persisted on Manigault’s jumper and McGee’s 3 for a 39-37 lead with 3:59 left.

Steadman made a game-tying layup and Rodriguez-Flores knocked down a jumper to put the Spartans ahead 41-39 with 2:48 left. But the lead was short-lived as Bragg made a layup to tie the game and Anthony Mathis hit a 3 before drawing a foul that allowed Chappell to make two free throws. Chappell made one free throw to bring SJSU within two. Steadman added a game-tying jumper to tie the score 24 seconds later.

UNM regained the lead 46-44 on Manigault’s layup, but Baumann hit a 3, and as a result, SJSU salvaged a 47-46 lead to end the first. The Spartans had their best shooting this season — 19 of 31 or 69% — in the first.

SJSU opened the second half with a dramatic flair as Steadman made a fastbreak free throw, Chastain knocked down a jumper in the paint and Knight hit a 3 — all in 28 seconds.

But like the first half, the game was in a back and forth affair that saw multiple ties and leads. UNM pulled within three on Mathis’ pair of free throws and Malauch’s layup in just three seconds. SJSU went ahead 60-52, thanks to Chastain’s pair of free throws along with Baumann’s 3, by the 15:34 mark. Chappell gave the Spartans a 10-point lead 62-52 with a fastbreak layup at the 14:33 mark. Baumann hit a 3 to make it a 65-52 game 24 seconds later.

SJSU went on a 9-0 run that lasted a little over two minutes. Chastain made a pair of free throws, Baumann hit two 3s and Chappell made a fastbreak layup. Bragg made a layup at the 13:12 mark to end the Spartans’ run.

Steadman knocked down a jumper to help the Spartans to a 70-62 lead with 8:38 left. The Lobos pulled within five on Manigault’s layup and free throw. Baumann, however, hit back to back 3s to make it a 76-65 game with 7:35 left.

SJSU went cold and was unable to score for a little over six minutes. Brae Ivey’s layup extended the Spartans’ lead to 78-71 with 1:22 left, but the Lobos pulled within seven on McGee’s layup just eight seconds later.

The game went down to the wire. Chappell made two pairs of fastbreak free throws. McGee made a layup. McGee hit a 3. Ivey made a pair of fastbreak free throws. Baumann made a pair of fastbreak free throws. Anigwe threw down a dunk in the paint. Anigwe made a free throw and missed the other. Malauch hit a 3. SJSU held on for a 89-82 win for their first conference win of the season and snapped their 17-game losing skid in the process.

SJSU heads to SDSU for a conference matchup on Saturday, March 2nd at 7:00 pm PT.