Spartans hold off UI
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Alex Elam and Tyree Gardner scored 13 points each to lead San Jose State to a 72-61 basketball victory over Idaho on Thursday night.
The win allowed the Spartans (6-16, 2-8 Western Athletic Conference) to climb out of last place over the Vandals (4-17, 1-9) and snap a four-game losing streak.
Despite getting a game- and career-high 20 points from reserve forward Mike Kale, Idaho lost for the 11th time in the last 12 games.
Idaho let San Jose State break open a close game in the second half with a 17-4 run that started with 14:10 to go after the Vandals had climbed within two points at 42-40.
The Spartans’ biggest lead was at 59-44 with 5:30 left.
Idaho guard Tanoris Shepard, the WAC’s 10th-leading scorer who was averaging 16 points a game, managed only nine points – his lowest total this season. He also had nine assists.
The Vandals were out-rebounded 41 to 32 and gave up 17 offensive rebounds. Idaho also sent the Spartans to the foul line on 24 occasions and San Jose State cashed in with 16 points.
“We talked a lot about second shots and we knew that was where the game was going to lie,” UI coach Leonard Perry said. “I’m upset that we gave up 17 offensive rebounds and we knew that is what would break our backs.”
San Jose St. 72, Idaho 61
Idaho (4-17, 1-9) – Dubois 2-8 0-0 4, Nwoke 3-6 1-4 7, Watson 4-13 0-0 8, Shepard 2-11 4-6 9, Ledbetter 2-6 0-0 6, Forge 2-5 0-0 5, Jakovljevic 11 0-0 2, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Kale 10-14 0-0 20. Totals 26-64 5-10 61.
San Jose State (6-16, 2-7) – Elam 5-14 2-3 13, Brown 3-7 1-2 7, Barbary 6-8 0-2 12, Gardner 3-8 6-6 13, Spencer 2-7 2-3 7, Richardson 0-0 0-0 0, Cozad 1-1 0-0 2, Thomas 2-4 0-0 4, Smith 1-1 0-0 3, Fleming 1-1 3-4 5, Holloway 0-0 0-2 0, Misko 2-6 2-2 6. Totals 26-57 16-24 72.
Halftime – San Jose State 36, Idaho 31. 3-point goals – Idaho 4-17 (Ledbetter 2-6, Forge 1-4, Shepard 1-5, Watson 0-2), San Jose State 4-10 (Gardner 1-1, Spencer 1-1, Smith 1-1, Elam 1-6, Brown 0-1). Fouled out – Kale. Rebounds – Idaho 32 (Dubois, Nwoke, Kale 7), San Jose State 41 (Brown 9). Assists – Idaho 13 (Shepard 8), San Jose State 13 (Gardner 9). Total fouls – UI 20, SJState 11. A – 1,173.