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