2021_01_08_MBB_Fresno_vs_SJSU__SM007832021_01_08_MBB_Fresno_vs_SJSU__SM00783
Samuel Marshall

Spartans Hold On Late For Second-Straight Win

PHOENIX – San Jose State men's basketball needed a big defensive stand to hold off Air Force in the closing moments and got just that as they forced the Falcons to miss four shots inside the final minute, and held on for a 59-58 victory Thursday evening at Ability 360 Sport and Fitness Center.
 
The Spartans (4-11, 2-9 MW) are now riding a two-game win streak after defeating New Mexico 83-71 the previous week. It is the first time since 2017 that SJSU has won back-to-back games over conference opponents.
 

 
Trailing by two with 2:42 remaining, sophomore guard Omari Moore drew contact and knocked down the first of two free throw attempts. His second attempt missed its mark, but was rebounded by the Spartans to maintain possession. Trey Smith drove for the go-ahead score at the basket, but had his shot cling off the iron. That's when Ralph Agee grabbed the board and threw down the putback dunk to give SJSU a 59-58 advantage with 2:17 to play. It was the last points either team would score for the remainder of the night.
 

 
Air Force (4-11, 2-9 MW) had five chances to regain the lead but was turned away on each occasion. The Falcons took advantage of a missed Jalen Dalcourt free throw with 20 seconds on the clock and quickly called timeout. Leading scorer A.J. Walker, who finished with 21 points, had one last crack at it, but his jumper with three seconds remaining missed its mark and the Spartans got possession to hold on for the victory.
 
San Jose State, presented by Provident Credit Union, finished the night with a 50 percent scoring clip (24-of-48) and was blistering hot in the first half as they hit 63 percent and were a perfect 9-for-9 on 2-point attempts. They also knocked down six triples in the first half and went into the locker room leading 36-30.
 
Despite the big first half, the shots did not fall in the Spartans' favor to begin the second half as they hit just one shot in the first eight minutes of the period. Air Force took advantage and took the lead outright at 40-38 with 15:47 on the clock as part of an 11-2 run. The lead changed over five more times until Agee's dunk gave the Spartans the lead for good.
 
Smith and Agee led the Spartans with 15 points apiece while Moore chipped in 12 points with seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. The Spartans won the rebounding battle 33-30 and scored 15 points on 12 Falcon turnovers.  Caleb Simmons pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds in the win.
 

 
Air Force finished the night shooting 40.7 percent (22-of-54). Walker's 21 points led all scorers while Ameka Akaya finished with 14 points.

Game two between the Spartans and Falcons is set for 4:00 p.m. MT on Saturday. 


 
SPARTAN ATHLETICS FUND FAN CUTOUTS:
Spartan Nation, don't miss your chance to be represented in the stands in Phoenix this season. If interested in a cardboard cutout, follow this link to register!