Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Spartans fall to UT San Antonio


There was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. Tonight was Spartan Tuesday but host Texas San Antonio discounted nothing and took it to San Jose State 72-63.

Facing a Roadrunner team with a 17-game home court non-conference winning streak, SJSU's basketballers fought back after 13 first half turnovers left them with a deficit, went ahead 34-32 but ultimately fell short.

Justin Graham led across the stat sheet with 20 points, 11 rebounds plus five assists and three steals. Adrian Oliver had 17 points and freshman Keith Shamburger contributed 14. Will Carter grabbed nine boards but went scoreless in 24 minutes as did Joe Henson in 12 minutes of action.

SJSU shot 38% overall and 57% at the foul line but out-boarded San Antonio 46-38.

It was a contest loaded with a cake, pie and doughnut diet in the initial 20 minutes as the teams combined for 23 first half turnovers -- 13 attached to the Spartans -- who couldn't establish any rhythm or continuity.

Opening the second half, a Shamburger trey and a pair of Oliver deuces brought the Spartans close. Matt Ballard tied it 32-all and Shamburger's two-pointer gave San Jose State a 34-32 lead.

It was tied again at 45.

But then Santa Antonio edged ahead and the Spartans never could catch up.

The score was 30-21 in favor of the Roadrunners at the half. Opening the game, SJSU fell behind 7-0 before Adrian Oliver scored on a jumper.

A Shamburger trey made it 21-15 at the 7:33 mark but the Spartans were down by 12, 27-15, with 4 minutes remaining. An Oliver deuce and a Justin Graham steal resulting in a layup cut the difference to 27-19.

*** It wasn't a good night on the road for Nevada either as the Wolf Pack fell 82-63 to South Dakota State.

Plus, Fresno State is trailing host Utah 42-24 with 13 minutes remaining in the second half.

In Las Cruces, New Mexico State is behind UTEP 49-40 with 14:33 remaining.

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