Spartans fall to Nevada 89-66

C.J. Webster was the headliner for San Jose State, playing the 'Big Room' at the Lawlor Events Center but balanced Nevada scoring combined with torrid Wolf Pack shooting the entire game paved the way for Mark Fox's squad to break away in the second half to an easy victory.

SJSU made a run and closed the game to one possession early in the second half but then Nevada exploded to an eight, then ten, then 16-point lead, effectively concluding the contest.

Webster was a Spartan beacon with a double-double of 22 points (7-13 shooting) and 12 boards. Justin Graham added 12. Adrian Oliver was hampered by the flu in addition to his ankle woes.

A total of 52 fouls were called, 28 on San Jose State. Nevada earned 36 free throws, making 29. SJSU was 17-27. For the game, The Pack shot 56% to 36% for the Spartans. San Jose was out-rebounded by five -- 41 to 36 -- but grabbed 21 offensive boards.

Nevada led at the end of the first half 39-31. It was a physical initial 20 minutes with SJSU not shooting well but gaining an advantage with solid offensive rebounding and the resulting second chance points. The Spartans shot 35% from the floor to 58% for the Wolf Pack. Rebounding totals were equal at 19 but 11 of those came on the offensive boards for SJSU. Webster grabbed nine of the 19.

At about the 15 minute mark or so of the first half, we lost the audio from KSJS due to technical difficulties. Of course, during that time, San Jose State pulled within three so we now have concrete evidence that the basketball gods and goddesses have an anti-Spartan fan bias. By the time the audio returned, San Jose State was down by eight.


In other WAC games:

Boise State downed Fresno State 79-65 at Taco Bell Arena Thursday night. Four Broncos scored in double figures: Kurt Cunningham with 15 points, Mark Sanchez scored 13 and Ike Okoye 11. BSU shot 55% on the game. Dwight O'Neill scored 19 points and Paul George added 15 for the Bulldogs.

Idaho hosted Louisiana Tech Thursday night and took a game that was close most of the way by the score of 66-58.