Tag: San Jose State

Fisher and Baumann record career-high points, but San Jose State falls at Colorado State 90-79

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

It was a week of a million headlines in the Mountain West. That’s great news for the majority of Mountain West reporters. But about the San Jose State Spartans, it has been the same story, different week. The Spartans are still seeking their first conference win of the season, and they hoped to get that against the Colorado State Rams at the Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colo.

Oumar Barry scored a couple of layups from SJSU’s consecutive possessions to pull the Spartans within four, 15-11, at the 13-minute mark of the first half.

As usual, Ryan Welage continued to dominate out on the court with his third triple of the game midway through the first. In addition, Noah Baumann hit a 3-pointer of his own. The Spartans trailed by just two points, 34-32.

The Spartans were down by six, 46-40, as they headed to the locker room at halftime. Welage led all scorers with 13 points. Baumann scored 11 points for the Spartans. SJSU outshot Colorado State 46.7% as opposed to 45.9%.

The Spartans had the first strike of the second half.

However, SJSU was affected by a scoring drought for several minutes until Barry nailed a three to end the Spartans’ drought. Yet, they still trailed the Rams by five, 55-50, at the 13:28 mark of the second.

With a basket and a foul, Noah Baumann tied his career-high with 14 points. But the Rams continued to lead by 10 (71-61) with 7:11 left in the second.

The Spartans lost to the Rams 90-79. Despite the blowout loss, SJSU had some things to be proud of. Keith Fisher scored a career-high 23 points while Baumann had a career-high 16 points.

Notes
The Spartans got in a few warm up shots before the starting lineup introductions were called at Moby Arena.

Up Next
The Spartans return home to host the Fresno State Bulldogs on Valentine’s Day at 7 pm PT.

San Jose State will stop by Colorado State on Saturday afternoon

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By: Ana Kieu

San Jose State visits Colorado State on Saturday afternoon
The SJSU men’s basketball team comes off of the bye and heads to Fort Collins, Colorado, to face Colorado State on Saturday afternoon. A 2:00 pm MT tipoff on the Mountain West Network is set. Spartan fans can tune into KLIV 1590 AM and hear Justin Allegri’s play-by-play call or follow the updates on Twitter at @SJSUMBB.

Game #23
SJSU (3-19, 0-11 MW) at CSU (10-16, 3-10 MW)
Saturday, February 10, 2018, 2:00 pm MT
Moby Arena (8,745)
Fort Collins, Colo.
TV: Mountain West Network
Radio: KLIV 1590 AM

SJSU’s last meeting with CSU
CSU staged a second-half comeback on SJSU and won the game, 59-52, inside the Event Center on December 30, 2017.

SJSU led by 11 points at halftime, but only made eight baskets in the second half. CSU guard Prentiss Nixon scored a game-high 19 points and was primarily responsible for a 12-2 Rams run that wiped out SJSU’s double-digit lead with six minutes left to play.

Ryan Welage scored a team-high 16 points and Noah Baumann recorded a career-high 14 points for the Spartans.

SJSU’s history with CSU
CSU remains the only MW team that SJSU has never beaten in men’s basketball. CSU is currently 16-0 against SJSU.

CSU is winless at home
Something has to give on Saturday as the Spartans are winless both at the Event Center and on the road in league play and Colorado State is 0-6 inside Moby Arena during league play. CSU has dropped seven in a row coming into Saturday’s game with their most recent 78-73 loss to the Air Force on February 6, 2018.

Turnovers continue to be a problem for the Spartans
SJSU outshot New Mexico, 47.1% to 41.4%. The Spartans outrebounded the Lobos, 43-19. The Spartans also made more free throws.

However, the Spartans’ season-high 25 turnovers leading to 30 Lobos points gave the game away and SJSU lost 71-68 to UNM at home. It was the 11th game with 20-plus turnovers this season for SJSU and their 17.6 turnovers per game are the most in NCAA Division I.

Spartans’ opponents aren’t shy from deep
UNM hit 11 three-point baskets en route to handing SJSU a 71-68 loss. SJSU has a fifth-ranked three-point field goal percentage defense of 34.6%, but it’s the volume of 3-pointers that opponents are taking (and making) that kills SJSU.

In 11 conference games, SJSU’s opponents have taken 143 more threes and have connected on 45 more than the Spartans. CSU averages 6.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, ranking ninth in the MW. The Rams were 8-of-23 in the first meeting with the Spartans.

Hillsman goes for a career-high 21 points
Spartans’ Jaycee Hillsman has had the ball in his hands quite a bit more than usual in the last couple of games. He made the most of his opportunity against New Mexico with career-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds, respectively. It was the second double-double of his career, but the first against a Division I opponent.

Hillsman played 30 minutes as the team’s so-called sixth-man, which was the most since he played 32 minutes against the University of San Diego in SJSU’s second game of the season on November 12, 2017.

Spartan offense picks up the pace
The Spartan offense has picked it up quite a bit over the last three games. The Spartans have been shooting 47.7% from the field and averaging 73.7 points per game during that stretch compared to overall marks of 43.9% and 66.0 points per game.

Three players are averaging double-figures in scoring, led by Welage at 26.7 points per game. Hillsman has put in 13.3 points over the last three games including his new career-high 21 points last time against UNM. Keith Fisher III has finished with 10 or more points in five of the last seven games and is averaging 10.3 points.

SJSU’s battle with UNLV ends in 76-67 loss in Vegas
SJSU was knocked down several times by massive UNLV runs, but got up every time…until the Runnin’ Rebels eventually pulled out a 76-67 win at the Thomas & Mack Center.

SJSU surrendered a 9-0 run to UNLV and fell behind early (16-9). However, the Spartans answered right back with an 11-0 run of their own to regain the lead. UNLV had a lead as large as 12 points before SJSU reeled it back in to three points midway through the second half. But in the end, Brandon McCoy’s 22 points and 17 rebounds helped UNLV to a home win.

Four Spartans finished in double-figure scoring, led by Ryan Welage–for the 16th time this year–with 21 points. Oumar Barry scored a career-high 12 points.

Welage becomes second-leading 3-point shooter at SJSU
Ryan Welage hit a three right before the halftime buzzer at UNLV on Wednesday night, which gave him 139 career threes. With that, he moved into second on SJSU’s all-time made 3-point field goals list, passing Adrian Oliver. He comes into Saturday’s game with 142 made 3-pointers, trailing only the program’s all-time leader Tim Pierce with 153.

San Jose State announces new corporate relationship and multi-year agreement with O’Connor Hospital

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By: Ana Kieu

Within the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, San Jose State University’s latest major corporate relationship is a multi-year agreement with the O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, California. Spartans’ Director of Athletics, Marie Tuite, made the announcement Thursday morning.

As a new corporate partner, O’Connor immediately became the “Official Healthcare Partner” of Spartan Athletics and will offer student-athletes an integrated healthcare delivery system with time-saving access to urgent care, emergency care, surgical services and rehabilitation services.

“Our new partnership with O’Connor Hospital offers our student-athletes a superior integrated off-campus health care system here in the Silicon Valley, less than 15 minutes away from our campus. O’Connor’s team of physicians, nurses, specialists, staff and administrators are very highly regarded,” Tuite said. “This is a ‘win-win’ arrangement for San Jose State University Athletics and O’Connor Hospital.”

“We are delighted to align one Silicon Valley icon, O’Connor Hospital, with another — San José State University,” said =O’Connor Hospital’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jordan R. Herget. “Each organization lays a critical role in the community around us. Our physicians and staff are pleased to be of service to San José State student-athletes who may need expert care at our hospital.”

O’Connor Hospital will have the opportunity to host two events promoting health wellness and disease awareness in conjunction with SJSU Athletics events throughout the academic year.

O’Connor Hospital will have increased contact with student-athletes, staff, faculty, alumni and Spartan sports fans through venue signage, game-day sponsorships, digital campaigns and engagement on the Spartan Radio Network.

O’Connor Hospital will continue serving as the presenting sponsor to the Spartan Foundation “Athlete of the Month.” It’s promoted online–in social media and on newsletter platforms–to recognize superior intercollegiate athletics achievements.

On behalf of SJSU Athletics, the newly integrated corporate relationship between the SJSU Athletics and O’Connor Hospital was cultivated by Learfield’s Campus+ business. Learfield serves as the Spartans’ multi-media rights holder.

“There are significant possibilities that exist through this partnership and the obvious affinity of aligning San José’s oldest hospital with a college that has stood the test of time since 1857 and having that college, San José State University, in its own backyard,” said Learfield’s Campus+ Executive Vice President Solly Fulp.

“This is an excellent example of Learfield identifying smart, strategic relationships for the Spartans that are mutually beneficial for the corporate partner, the university and its fans.”

About SJSU Athletics
SJSU sponsors 20 (seven 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 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the NCAA’s highest level of competition.

The Spartans’ primary conference affiliate is the Mountain West. Selected teams belong to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), and the Golden Coast Conference (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 medals, six silver medals and seven bronze medals at the Olympics.

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

About O’Connor Hospital
O’Connor Hospital became a part of the new Verity Health System in December 2015. Since then, significant revitalization efforts have been underway, including the recruitment of new physicians joining the ranks of existing hospital physicians, development of new clinical programs and strategic business relationships, facility enhancements, and marketing initiatives.

O’Connor Hospital offers an innovative “10-minute commitment,” an assurance for patients visiting the emergency department to be evaluated by their medical team within 10 minutes of arrival. This includes a convenient online check-in tool for non-life-threatening emergencies.

San Jose State confirms football signing news

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By: Ana Kieu

Spartans head coach Brent Brennan made an important announcement Wednesday afternoon at Simpkins Stadium Center in San Jose, California.

Two CalHiSports.com all-state high school seniors and four more that were named a league MVP were among 11 prospective football student-athletes who signed a National Letter-of-Intent with San Jose State at the start of the traditional February signing period.

Wide receiver Jermaine Braddock (6’2″, 200 lbs, Charter Oak High School) and linebacker Isaak Togia (6’1″, 215 lbs, Pacifica High School) were first and third team choices, respectively.

Braddock’s teammate, wide receiver Isaiah Hamilton (5’11”, 180 lbs, Charter Oak High School), the 2017 Hacienda League Offensive Player of the Year, defensive back Tre Jenkins (6’1″, 205, St. Mary’s High School), the 2017 Tri City Athletic League MVP, and Nick Nash (6’3″, 180 lbs, Woodbridge High School), the 2017 Pacific Coast League Offensive MVP, will head to SJSU.

The 11 signees–all high school seniors–joined the 13 prospects that signed a National Letter-of-Intent in the new December signing period.

13 of the 24 are projected to begin their college football careers on defense. SJSU added six defensive backs, five offensive linemen, four linebackers, three wide receivers, three defensive linemen, two running backs and a quarterback who’s most likely going to play a different position. Safety Bobby Brown, II, linebacker Kyle Harmon, offensive lineman Korey Moriboho and cornerbacks Jalen Nelson and Nehemiah Shelton from the December 2017 signing period are enrolled at SJSU for the spring semester and available to participate in 2018 spring practice.

“We feel we recruited guys that can come in and compete immediately and have a chance to impact the game the moment they step foot on the campus which is always a goal in recruiting. You’re always trying to bring in guys that are going to impact your football team,” Brennan said about his second recruiting class.

“How they impact your football team will be interesting to see. Some of it might be leadership; some of it might be on the field; and some of it may be in the classroom. Every player we recruited in this class has a chance to really impact our program.”

Max Barth (6’6″, 280 lbs, St. Mary’s High School), an All-Northern California honoree and a teammate of Jenkins at St. Mary’s, is the fifth new offensive lineman for the Spartans.

Running backs Kairee Robinson (5’8″, 190 lbs, De La Salle High School) rushed for 2,012 yards and 26 touchdowns in his junior season and Lorenzo Burkes (6’2″, 230 lbs, Jesuit High School) scored 20 times on the ground in two seasons.

Braddock caught 147 passes for 2,453 yards and 26 touchdowns in three seasons at Charter Oak High School and still left enough opportunities for Hamilton to catch 68 passes as a junior and had a 22.8 yards per catch average and 22 scores as a senior.

Nash, whose father, Kenny Nash, played wide receiver on the 1985 and 1986 SJSU teams, was an all-purpose threat passing for 1,728 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushing for 1,269 yards and 17 touchdowns.

L.J. Anderson (6’0″, 175 lbs, Moreau Catholic High School) joins Jenkins as one of the two defensive backs from the most recent signing period for the Spartans.

Junior Fehoko (6’4″, 235 lbs, Saint Francis High School) and Michael Pryor (6’3″, 230 lbs, Pittsburg High School) and Togia are three linebacker hopefuls who are competing to be in the 2018 signing class. Fehoko blossomed his senior season. Pryor had 32.0 tackles for loss and 12.5 quarterback sacks combined in his junior and senior years.

“We’re adding some really high-caliber young men to our program, guys with really high ceilings, athletically, talent-wise who are also quality young men. Lots of them come from winning programs. We have a bunch of guys from state championship teams that competed in the highest level in the state of California,” Brennan said.

“The assistant coaches did an outstanding job putting this recruiting class together and getting us to signing with a group of guys we feel really, really good about.”

Notes
Friends of the SJSU football program are invited to its annual “National Letter-of-Intent Celebration” at the Diaz-Compean Student Union Building, Wednesday, February 7. Contact Associate Athletics Director for Football Advancement Tim Rice at (408) 924-1128 or at tim.rice@sjsu.edu.

Season tickets for the 2018 home schedule will go on sale on February 7. The Spartans’ opponents in CEFCU Stadium will be non-conference opponents: Army West Point and UC Davis along with Mountain West foes Colorado State, Hawaii, Nevada and UNLV. Army West Point is making its first appearance in CEFCU Stadium.

San Jose State men’s basketball podcast with Ana Kieu: SJSU has yet to win a conference game; Prioleau will face former team; plus more news

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On the San Jose State men’s basketball podcast with Ana Kieu:

1. Turnovers continue to be a problem for the Spartans, who committed a season-high 25 turnovers Saturday afternoon against the Lobos. Tell me more about San Jose State’s heartbreaking loss in a nail-biter vs. New Mexico.

2. Despite the Spartans’ loss, Jaycee Hillsman finished with a double-double. Tell me more about Hillsman’s contributions to the game.

3. Nai Carlisle isn’t a household name, but he helped give the Spartans another chance Saturday. What does he need to do in order to stay in the spotlight?

4. Once again, the Ryan Welage show aired. Welage scored a game-high 22 points Saturday. What were a couple of other positives for the Spartans?

5. San Jose State has a bye week this week, but they’ll head out on the road to take on Colorado State on February 10. Coach Jean Prioleau worked as an assistant coach from 2010 to 2017. Do you think Prioleau will want to seek revenge even more now that he’s going to face his former team?

Ana Kieu does the San Jose men’s basketball podcast each week at sportsradioservice.com

 

San Jose State football completes coaching staff with additions and promotions

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By: Ana Kieu

We have some good news to share with you on the San Jose State Spartans football department.

San Jose State football head coach Brent Brennan has been filling out his coaching staff. Brennan filled in three assistant coaching positions, assigned new responsibilities to four assistants from last year’s coaching staff, and added a Bay Area football coach to the Spartans in an analyst position.

Fred Guidici, SJSU’s quality control coach in 2017, was promoted to the Spartans’ special teams coordinator position on a full-time basis.

Kevin McGiven and Aric Williams join the SJSU coaching staff as the offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, respectively.

Also, Terry Malley, a SJSU assistant coach from 2009 to 2014, returns to the Spartans as an offensive analyst.

“We’re really excited about the additions we made to the staff. Obviously, when you lose somebody you keep moving forward and improve the staff,” said Brennan.

Guidici is in his second coaching tenure at SJSU. He was the Spartans’ special teams coordinator from 2012 to 2014, and the running backs coach in 2012. Giudici is a 1989 SJSU graduate with over 25 years of college and professional football coaching experience.

McGiven joins the Spartans after serving as Oregon State’s offensive coordinator during the 2017 season. McGiven was named the Beavers quarterbacks coach in 2015, added the responsibilities of co-offensive coordinator in 2016, and promoted to offensive coordinator in 2017.

Besides Oregon State, McGiven was Utah State’s offensive coordinator at Utah State in 2013 and 2014, Montana State’s offensive coordinator in 2012, Weber State’s offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008, and Southern Utah’s offensive coordinator in 2005. In 2014, FootballScoop.com named McGiven its Quarterbacks Coach of the Year.

“Kevin McGiven has a lot of experience and has called thousands of football plays in big stadiums in real football situation. I worked with Kevin (at Oregon State) and he is incredibly detailed and meticulous. The combination of his experience as a coordinator and calling plays and having a tremendous amount of success in the Mountain West before at Utah State is exciting adding him as a football coach and a person,” said Brennan, who gushed about McGiven.

Williams spent the last three seasons as the University of Idaho’s defensive backs coach. Williams is a 2005 Oregon State graduate who worked as the University of Montana’s assistant coach from 2010 to 2014, and worked as a graduate assistant coach at Arizona State in 2009. Williams played for the Philadelphia Soul and Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Williams also played for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe in 2006.

“His knowledge of Southern California and the recruiting world, his technique and knowledge will add a lot to the corners (CB) group. When he came for his interview, he did a fabulous job going over the details of his technique. He blew the competition out of the water in the interview process,” Brennan said about Williams.

In his first stint with the SJSU football program, Malley had various assistant coaching roles ranging from offense to recruiting coordinator responsibilities for head coaches Dick Tomey, Mike McIntyre and Ron Caragher.

Malley’s Bay Area coaching roots date back to 1976 at Leland High School in San Jose, California. He was the head coach at Santa Clara University and led the Santa Clara Broncos to a 47-39-1 win-loss record in a span of eight seasons. Malley was the San Jose Sabercats offensive coordinator for 15 seasons, whom he helped win four Arena Bowl championships.

Brennan also announced added roles for four returning coaches from last year’s staff. Defensive coordinator Derrick Odum adds the title of associate head coach. Running backs coach Alonzo Carter will serve as the team’s recruiting coordinator. Offensive line coach Joe Bernardi also will be run game coordinator. Quarterbacks coach Ryan Gunderson adds the title of passing game coordinator.

Transactions
SJSU — Promoted Fred Guidici to special teams coordinator; named Kevin McGiven, offensive coordinator, Aric Williams, defensive backs coach, and Terry Malley, football analyst. Added responsibilities to Joe Bernardi, now offensive line coach and run game coordinator; Alonzo Carter, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator; Ryan Gunderson, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator; and Derrick Odum, associate head coach and defensive coordinator.

What’s Next?
Spartans head coach Brent Brennan will conduct a news conference on Wednesday, February 7, at 1:00 pm PT to discuss the start of the National Letter-of-Intent signing period. The news conference will take place in the Simpkins Stadium Center Gold Room at 1:00 pm PT and will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.

San Jose State’s hopes for first conference win were spoiled by New Mexico in 71-68 loss

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State Spartans were hoping to snap a 10-game losing skid against the New Mexico Lobos at the Event Center Saturday afternoon. The Spartans haven’t won a conference game so far this season as they entered the matchup with a 0-10 record in the Mountain West.

Today’s Spartans vs. Lobos game was sponsored by The Barbers Inc, a barbershop based in downtown San Jose. Their barbers gave fans free haircuts as soon as the doors opened and throughout the game.

Before the first timeout of the game, the Lobos went on a 11-2 run in a span of 3:19 to open the game with a nine-point lead over the Spartans. Keith Fisher scored the Spartans’ lone layup for two points during that stretch.

At first, the Spartans fell behind, but they got back into the game with a 9-0 run to pull within four (21-17), thanks to Jaycee Hillsman’s jumper and pair of free throws and Ryan Welage’s 3-pointer and layup.

The Spartans had their chances as the Lobos didn’t score any field goals in five-plus minutes. San Jose State’s Jaycee Hillsman stole the show with a dunk, jumper, layup and a single free throw. New Mexico’s Antino Jackson ended the Lobos’ field goal slump with a layup with 4:27 left in the first.

However, Hillsman made a layup and Welage hit a three to give the Spartans a five-point advantage for a 31-26 lead with 3:35 left in the first.

The Spartans survived a close call late in the first. Nai Carlisle made a layup and Barry followed with two layups of his own. SJSU held onto a 35-31 lead for about a minute until Makuach Maluach hit a three to pull New Mexico within one. The back and forth action continued as Barry and Vance Jackson exchanged layups.

Spartans’ Jalen James closed out the first with a pair of free throws, and SJSU carried a 39-36 lead to the locker room at halftime.

Both teams exchanged shots to start the second half. Joe Furstinger made a layup, Isaiah Nichols made a free throw, Jackson hit a three and Barry made a layup. Prior to a media timeout, the Spartans led the Lobos 41-40 at the 15:54 mark of the second.

The Lobos led the Spartans 51-44 at the 12:17 mark. However, the Welage show aired as the junior forward made a pair of free throws and a layup to pull the Spartans within three (51-48) at the 10:27 mark.

The Spartan offense applied some pressure on the Lobos as Hillsman made a layup and then hit a game-tying three to tie the game 53-53 with 8:35 left in the second. As a result, Hillsman notched a double-double with a career-high 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Spartan cheer squad got the crowd pumping in the final minutes of the game by chanting “defense” chants, waving pom poms and throwing t-shirts to the loudest fans in the audience. All the positive energy appeared to help the Spartans.

After Welage knocked down a jumper to pull the Spartans within four (69-65), the home team took a timeout with 46.2 seconds left in the game. Carlisle’s layup and lone free throw pulled the Spartans within two (70-68) with 33 seconds left. Sam Logwood made the final free throw of the game with two seconds left.

The Spartans lost to the Lobos 71-68.

Notes
Spartans’ starting lineup: Keith Fisher, Noah Baumann, Jalen James, Ryan Welage and Ashtin Chastain.

Lobos’ starting lineup: Chris McNeal, Joe Furstinger, Makuach Maluach, Dane Kuiper and Anthony Mathis.

Up Next
The Spartans travel to Fort Collins, Colorado, to take on the Rams on Saturday, February 10 at 1 pm PT (2 pm MT).

San Jose State still seeking first conference win this season; will host New Mexico Saturday afternoon

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

In case you didn’t know, Keith Fisher III has finished in double-figure scoring in five of his last six games for San Jose State.

Spartans host Lobos Saturday afternoon
The Spartans return to the Event Center Saturday for a 3:00 pm tipoff against the Lobos. Tickets are available now at the Spartan Ticket Office, which can be reached at 408-924-7589. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can also be heard on KLIV 1590 AM with Justin Allegri’s play-by-play call.

Game #22
SJSU (3-18, 0-10 MW) vs. New Mexico (11-12, 6-4 MW)
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 3:00 pm PT
The Event Center (5,000)
San Jose, Calif.

TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KLIV 1590 AM & KSJS 90.5 FM
Series: New Mexico leads, 12-1
Last Meeting: UNM 80 SJSU 47 – Jan. 5, 2018 – Dreamstyle Arena/The Pit

First game between Spartans and Lobos
The first meeting with the Lobos this season on Jan. 5 is one that the Spartans would like to forget. They fell behind early and could never climb back, suffering an 80-47 loss in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although that was less than a month ago, the Spartans are now a different team–and statistically better–than they were that night.

One thing remains the same though–SJSU is still searching for its first conference win.

The Lobos have gone 4-2 since their last meeting with the Spartans, but arrive in San Jose after an 89-80 loss to Utah State Wednesday night.

Spartans’ offense kicks it up a notch

SJSU’s offense has kicked it up a notch over the last three games. The Spartans are shooting 49.7% from the field and averaging 74.7 points per game during that stretch compared to overall numbers of 43.7% and 65.9 points per game.

Three players are averaging double-figure scoring: Ryan Welage (26.7 points per game), Keith Fisher III (10+ points in five of the last six games and is averaging 13.7 points over the last three contests) and Jaycee Hillsman (10.7 points over the last 3 games).

The Spartans have picked it up in 3-point shooting too, hitting 40.9% as a team in the last three contests, compared to the season percentage of 36.4.

In case you missed it

SJSU was knocked down a handful of times by large UNLV runs on Wednesday night, but got up every time until the Runnin’ Rebels pulled off a 76-67 win at the Thomas & Mack Center. SJSU surrendered a 9-0 run to UNLV and fell behind early (16-9).

However, the Spartans answered right back with an 11-0 run of their own to regain the lead. UNLV had a lead swell to as large as 12 points before SJSU reeled it back in to three points midway through the second half. But in the end, Brandon McCoy’s 22 points and 17 rebounds helped UNLV to a victory.

Four Spartans finished in double-figure scoring. Ryan Welage led all scorers for the 16th time this season with 21 points. Oumar Barry also scored a career-high 12 points.


Welage becomes second-leading 3-point shooter at SJSU
Ryan Welage knocked down a 3-pointer right before the halftime buzzer at UNLV on Wednesday night, which gave him 139 career threes. He moved into second place on SJSU’s all-time made 3-point baskets list and passed former Spartan Adrian Oliver. He went on to make four threes on the night, which gave him 140 coming into Saturday’s game. Tim Pierce remains as SJSU’s all-time leader with 153 made threes in his career.

Welage rises after decrease of shooting

Over a four-game stretch, Ryan Welage hit just 33.3% of his shots. He was also just 4-of-14 from downtown during that stretch; but his 22-point performance on 9-of-17 shooting proved to be the slump-buster at Boise State on Jan. 24.

Since then, Welage has been shooting a team-high 53.8% (28-52) from the field and 53.3% (8-15) from the 3-point range. He poured in a career-high 37 points against Wyoming and had 21 points at UNLV on Wednesday night. It was his 11th game of 20+ points and the 16th time where he led the Spartans in scoring.


Fisher III shows consistency for the Spartans

According to head coach Jean Prioleau, inconsistency is something the Spartans have struggled with all year. But as we hit the midway point of Mountain West play. the Spartans know they can count on Keith Fisher III’s production. He has finished in double-figure scoring in five of the last six games. He’s also the Spartans’ leading rebounder during that stretch and overall this season.

Fisher III is averaging 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds over the last three games. He has played 34.4 minutes per contest. He’s the only Spartan to start all 21 games this year and even if his stat production plunges, his leadership and hustle never misses a beat.

Oumar Barry scores career-high 12 points, but San Jose State’s comeback falls short again in 76-67 loss to UNLV

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

LAS VEGAS — After the San Jose State Spartans lost a close game to the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 82-76 at the Event Center on Jan. 3, they traveled 520 miles to the Thomas & Mack Center for a conference rematch on Jan. 31.

Prior to the match, San Jose State was a cellar-dwellar who lost nine consecutive games, while UNLV just won their previous game, 88-78, over San Diego State on Jan. 27. So it was safe to say that both teams wanted to win this one badly.

The Spartans got off to a fast start with a 5-0 run early in the first half. Ashtin Chastain made a layup and Noah Baumann followed up with a 3-pointer. The Runnin’ Rebels then gave the Spartans a hard time as they went on a 14-2 run in a span of 2:50 to put SJSU behind 16-9 at the 12:41 mark of the half.

The Spartans responded, regaining a lead (26-23) with 7:25 left in the half, thanks to Keith Fisher’s offensive skills. Ryan Welage made the most out of his chance to extend SJSU’s lead, nailing a three for the final bucket of the half.

Yet, SJSU continued to trail UNLV 39-34 at the half. Welage led all Spartans in scoring with 12 points. The Spartans had eight assists and two turnovers.

Prior to a media timeout, SJSU trailed UNLV 70-61 with 4:15 left in the second half. The Spartans reduced the lead to 71-63 on Fisher’s jumper, but the Runnin’ Rebels went ahead 76-63 with just a little over a minute remaining in regulation. UNLV’s Jordan Johnson hit a three and Shakur Juiston followed with a slam dunk.

Spartans’ Jaycee Hillsman made two layups with less than a minute remaining, but the Spartans fell short as they lost to the Runnin’ Rebels 76-67.

Despite the loss, four Spartans in D-F scoring and Welage led with 21 points. The Spartans had a season-low seven turnovers. Oumar Barry had a career-high 12 points.

For the Runnin’ Rebels, Brandon McCoy had 22 points and 17 rebounds.

Notes
Spartans’ starting lineup: Ashtin Chastain, Ryan Welage, Keith Fisher, Noah Baumann and Jalen James.

For the Spartans, this was their last #Assist4Literacy game of the season. Feel free to make any last minute pledges at pledgeit.org/sjsu.

Up Next
SJSU heads home to host New Mexico on Saturday at 3 pm PT.

San Jose State arrives in Las Vegas, ready to take on UNLV

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

LAS VEGAS — The San Jose State Spartans flew out of the Bay Area and arrived in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon. They got ready for round two with the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center.

 

Here are the game notes and stats you need to know: /

Spartans prepare for Runnin’ Rebels

San Jose State will take on UNLV on Wednesday night at 8 pm PT on AT&T SportsNet.

UNLV escaped with a 82-76 overtime win over SJSU in their first matchup this season at the Event Center.

Spartan fans can tune into KLIV 1590 AM to listen to Justin Allegri’s play-by-play. The pregame show begins at 7:30 pm PT.

Game #21
SJSU (3-17, 0-9 MW) at UNLV (15-6, 4-4 MW)
Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 8:00 pm PT
Thomas & Mack Center (18,000)
Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KLIV 1590 AM
Series: UNLV leads, 36-6
Last Meeting: UNLV defeated SJSU, 82-76, in overtime in San Jose on January 3, 2018.
Just some history

SJSU defeated UNLV in both meetings last season, making it the first time since the 1993-94 season. But the Runnin’ Rebels got revenge in San Jose earlier this season with an 82-76 overtime win.

UNLV holds a 36-6 lead over the Spartans in the all-time series. Prior to last season, they haven’t lost a game to SJSU since 1996.

Most recent meeting
SJSU made a 10-point comeback in the final 4:50 of regulation and forced overtime, but UNLV came out on top in overtime for an 82-76 win. The Spartans closed out regulation on a 12-2 run, thanks to Ryan Welage and Noah Baumann. However, some late miscues in overtime along with the failure to secure enough rebounds cost SJSU what could’ve been their third straight win over UNLV. Welage finished with a team-high 23 points and Baumann finished with 12 points–all from beyond the arc. Brandon McCoy led UNLV with 23 points.

The Ryan Welage show
Ryan Welage scored a new career-high 37 points in SJSU’s 80-76 overtime loss to Wyoming on Saturday. He scored 25 points in the second half, helping SJSU erase a 16-point deficit. He made 12-of-20 field goals–both career-highs–and knocked down 11-of-12 free throws. His 37 points are the second-most by an individual in the MW this season behind Chandler Hutchison’s 44-point performance against San Diego State on January 13. Welage was on the floor for all 45 minutes of the game against Wyoming.

Jalen James nearly gets triple-double
Senior point guard Jalen James is currently playing his best basketball of the season. He nearly got a triple-double in SJSU’s last game against Wyoming. He finished the night with nine points, nine rebounds and eight assists. He was the floor for a career-high 42 minutes and helped the Spartans get out of a 16-point deficit in the second half and force overtime. He took the ball the length of the court with 5.1 seconds left in regulation and made a layup to send the game into overtime. He’s averaging 6 points, 4.1 assists and 4 rebounds over his last three games.

Noah Baumann is league’s most accurate 3-point shooter

Freshman wing Noah Baumann is shooting 60.0 percent (18-30) from beyond the arc during league play, which ranks first among all MW players. He has been deadly all year long from downtown with an overall percentage of 51.7 (31-60).

UNLV got a taste of what Baumann could do in the first meeting this year when he hit 4-of-5 shots from beyond the arc. Some defenses in league play have clamped down on Baumann including the last game against Wyoming where he only took one shot.  New Mexico and SDSU allowed him to take only six shots combined. However he’s had break through games of three-plus hits from deep in four MW games.

Field goal percentage defense remains solid 

SJSU’s current 43.1 field goal percentage defense is the best it’s had in a very long time. The Spartans took the MW’s fifth-ranked 42.4 field goal percentage defense into the beginning of last week before Boise State knocked down 53.1 percent of its shots on Wednesday, followed by 44.1 percent on Saturday by Wyoming.

If the season with that 42.4 percentage, it would be the best for any Spartan team since the 2000-01 season. Last season, Spartan opponents hit 46 percent of their shots. UNLV hit 47.3 percent of its shots against the Spartans in the first meeting of the season.

SJSU outshoots Wyoming

SJSU shot 48.4% (30-62) on Wednesday night compared to Wyoming’s 44.1% (30-68). It’s the sixth time in nine MW games that the Spartans have finished with a higher shooting percentage than the opponent and the fourth time have equal or more amount of made field goals.

Yet, the Spartans come into Wednesday’s tilt winless in league play. In games where SJSU outshoots its opponent, it’s generally turnovers and 3-point shooting that push the game in the opponents’ favor. The Spartans’ 17.6 turnovers per game are the most in Division I basketball, and MW foes have made an average of 8.2 or more three-point baskets per game than SJSU.

Welage continues to climb the SJSU career ranks

Ryan Welage became the 15th player in SJSU men’s basketball history (108th season) to score 1,000-career points on January 9, 2018, at SDSU. Since then, he’s worked his way up to 12th place on the all-time scoring list and is just 11 points shy of passing Sid Williams for 11th.

Welage now has 136 made 3-pointers in his career, ranking third on the Spartans’ all-time list. He is two away from tying Adrian Oliver with 138 made threes and then he’ll only be trailing the program’s all-time leader, Tim Pierce, who made 153.

1. 1,767 – Ricky Berry (84 games)
2. 1,750 – Adrian Oliver (80 games)
3. 1,504 – Stu Inman (123 games)
4. 1,432 – Wally Rank (102 games)
5. 1,272 – Justin Graham (119 games)
6. 1,236 – Chris McNealy (81 games)
7. 1,173 – Coby Dietrick (72 games)
8. 1,139 – Terry Cannon (97 games)
9. 1,136 – Johnnie Skinner (73 games)
10. 1,125 – Ken Mickey (82 games)
11. 1,095 – Sid Williams (111 games)
12. 1,085 – Ryan Welage (81 games)
13. 1,050 – S.T. Saffold (72 games)
13. 1,050 – Olivier Saint-Jean (51 games)
15. 1,049 – Carroll Williams (75 games)