Spartans Start Hot But Fall To UC Riverside, 80-65

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose State men's basketball couldn't sustain their hot offensive start as second half shooting woes led to an 80-65 loss to UC Riverside on Sunday afternoon at the Provident Credit Union Event Center. 

The Spartans (3-10) jumped out to an early 11-2 advantage in the first three minutes and maintained the lead until the Highlanders tied the game at 18 with just over 12:00 minutes to go in the opening half. SJSU then used a 10-0 run to regain a nine-point advantage with 5:41 on the clock, but UC Riverside rattled off a 10-0 run of their own to take a lead inside the final three minutes of the period. The teams then played back-and-forth ball for the remainder of the half with Riverside nailing a 3-pointer with :09 remaining to take a 39-37 lead into the half.

SJSU finished the half shooting 35.3 percent (12-of-34) and knocked down six 3-pointers. Christian Anigwe was responsible for two of those treys. Riverside converted on 42.4 percent on their first half attempts (14-of-33). 



In the second half, Ralph Agee knocked down an early triple to give the Spartans a quick lead, but UC Riverside quickly took control and mounted a seven-point at the 14:40 mark before Brae Ivey converted a four-point play to knock the score back a three-point game at 52-48. After a few minutes of back-and-forth ball, Riverside took a double-digit lead with 9:09 to play and didn't allow the Spartans within 11 for the remainder of the afternoon. SJSU went on an 8:00 scoring drought before Ralph Agee broke the drought with a dunk inside six minutes to go. The Spartans scored 28 points in the final half on 33.3 percent shooting (8-of-24). UC Riverside led by as much 18 points and finished with a 15 point advantage at the final buzzer.

Agee led the Spartans with 15 points and fell just one rebound shy of his second-straight double-double. Seneca Knight added 14 points. 

Arinze Chidom led UC Riverside with a game-high 17 points and was one of four Highlanders in double figures. 

SJSU returns to action on Saturday, December 28 against Pepperdine.