Late Comeback Comes Up Just Short In BakersfieldLate Comeback Comes Up Just Short In Bakersfield

Late Comeback Comes Up Just Short In Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – San José State saw a late rally come up just short as it fell for the first time in 17 days on Friday at CSU Bakersfield. 

The Spartans (5-3) led by as many as nine at one point and trimmed an 11-point deficit down to two late before the Roadrunners (4-3) ultimately escaped with a 75-71 victory. SJSU finished the day forcing 17 turnovers and made 21 free throws to CSUB's seven. 

It was a strong start on both ends of the floor that allowed the visitors from San José to create some initial separation. 

After trailing 10-8 early, San José State used a quick 12-2 run to grab a 20-12 lead with seven minutes remaining in the second quarter. Four different Spartans - Courtesy Clark, Cydni Lewis, Tyra Whitehead and Raziya Potter - each tallied steals in that stretch, a span that saw the home team go more than seven minutes without scoring. 

Whitehead entered the week leading the nation with 25 steals in seven games. 



The rest of the half was played fairly even as the home team ultimately took a 30-28 advantage into the locker rooms. Whitehead lead her team at the break, hitting on 4-of-5 from the field en route to eight points. 

In similar fashion to the first half, the contest's final 20 minutes saw SJSU grab the lead before giving it back to its opponent. The team led 43-42 on a Fieme'a Hafoka layup but would trail by as many as 11 in the game's final stanza. 

San José State would slowly but surely fight its way back as the conference's leader in made free throws played to its strengths down the stretch. The Spartans made 13 free throws in the final six minutes, the last two of which pulled them to within 73-71 with nine seconds left. 

The comeback effort was halted there as CSU Bakersfield hit two free throws of their own on the other end and got one final stop to put a bow on the 75-71 win. 

The Division I scoring and passing leader had yet another fine performance in the defeat as Ayzhaina Basallo finished the afternoon with 24 points and a pair of assists. Two other Spartans ended the day in double figures as Whitehead tallied 15 points and Hafoka added 12. 
 



Friday's contest served as the team's final tuneup before conference play gets underway on Wednesday at Utah State. Tip-off in Logan is set for 7:00 p.m. (MT) as San José State embarks on its earliest start to Mountain West play since joining the league.