Thursday, December 23, 2010

Spartans romp 95-62

It took a while to shout 'timber' but eventually San Jose State did so as the Spartans shellacked Puget Sound 95-62.

Here's the game report and box from SJSU athletics:
Oliver Pours In School Record 42; 95-62 Win Over Puget Sound
Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics
12/22/2010

It was a record-setting night for guard Adrian Oliver as San Jose State won its third game in a row defeating Puget Sound, 95-62, in a non-conference men's basketball game.

Oliver, a 6-foot-4 senior, set school records for most points scored in a game with 42 points, most points scored in a half with 30 and most three-point baskets made in a game without a miss as San Jose State (8-3) moved five games above .500 for the first time since the 2001 season.

The nation's sixth leading scorer going into the game was 12-of-15 from the field and 7-of-9 shooting three-pointers. After missing his first 3-point basket try early in the first half, he made seven in a row, his last five to end the first 20 minutes and two at the start of the second half. His three-point production also tied the San Jose State record for most 3-point baskets in a game.

"Tonight, I was playing ball. The shots were falling. I was in rhythm," said Oliver, who played just 25 minutes and notched his 13th game of 30 or points in a San Jose State uniform. "Every spot on the floor was a good spot the way I was feeling it. The guys recognized that and put a little more emphasis on getting me open. I was just connecting on my shots."

"That's the best performance I've ever seen," said Puget Sound's fourth-year coach Justin Lunt.

Oliver outscored Puget Sound (5-5) in the first 20 minutes as San Jose State went into halftime with a 55-29 lead. The Spartans led by as many as 37 points, 84-47, with 6:42 left in the game.

"I was glad to see Adrian do it (set the school record). I think he is capable of some more games like that and I wouldn't be surprised if the record is temporary. It's always nice for a player to set a record and have your team successful on the same night," said San Jose State coach George Nessman about Oliver breaking the old record of 40 points scored by Wally Rank in a 1980 game against Sacramento State. "He took 15 shots for 42 points. That's pretty good production."

Guard Justin Graham scored 19 points and 8 assists and reserve forward Brylle Kamen added 15 points for San Jose State in its highest scoring game of the season.

"Brylle is a hard worker. That phrase gets a little over used, but he just brings it and that really helps us. Brylle makes a difference for us. We've been saying that all along and we're glad to see that play out," added the Spartans' coach about the 6-foot-7 Kamen, who played just his third game of the season since becoming eligible on December 12 and scored in double figures for the first time.

Forward Kaleb Shelton led the Loggers, an NCAA Division III program, with 20 points. Guard Edric Egberaure was Puget Sound's only other double-figure scorer with 17.

San Jose State shot 45.5 percent from the field as a team, outrebounded Puget Sound, 45-31, and had a season-high 23 assists.

"We were able to get into good spots on the floor and make good decisions and good plays," added Justin Graham, whose eight assists were his season-high.

Graham added that the team's defense helped San Jose State overcome a sluggish start that saw the Spartans trail by as many as five points on three occasions in the first six minutes of the game.

"We started to get some stops and started to get some easy fast-break lay-ups. Once you start getting shots to fall, it just keeps going on and on and on," said Graham. San Jose State outscored Puget Sound, 30-4, the final seven minutes of the first half.

The Spartans have a week off before opening Western Athletic Conference play at Fresno State, December 29.

San Jose State (8-3)

Graham 8-11 3-5 19
Carter 1-4 0-0 2
Ballard 0-1 0-0 0
Shamburger 1-9 2-2 4
Oliver 12-15 11-13 42
Moor 1-3 0-2 2
Douglas 2-6 2-3 8
Dick 0-0 0-0 0
Jones 0-3 2-2 2
Kamen 5-11 5-5 15
Henson 0-2 1-2 1
Casey 0-1 0-0 0
Ton 0-0 0-0

Totals 30-66 23-29 95

Halftime score - San Jose State 55, Puget Sound 29
Three-point field goals - San Jose State 12-27 (Shamburger 0-6, Oliver 7-9, Graham 3-5, Douglas 2-5, Jones 0-1, Kamen 0-1)
Rebounds - San Jose State 45 (Ballard, Graham 8)
Assists - San Jose State 23 (Graham 8)
Total fouls - Puget Sound - 27, San Jose State 14
Attendance - 1,377

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