PHOENIX – Ralph Agee and Jalen Dalcourt scored 18 points apiece to carry San Jose State men's basketball to victory on Monday evening, defeating Benedictine Mesa by a final of 80-64 at Ability 360 Sport and Fitness Center.
Four Spartans reached double figures in the win with Agee and Dalcourt's 18 points leading the field. Richard Washington finished just behind with 17 points and came away with 10 rebounds for his second-career double-double. Omari Moore was just shy of a double-double of his own, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds.
.@sjsucoachpri recaps tonight's win#SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/truQW1vuGz
— San Jose State Men's Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) January 5, 2021
The Spartans took a firm grip on the contest early on, jumping out to an early 14-5 advantage with 13:25 left in the first. The points continued to pile up and SJSU extended the lead to as much as 21 with just under two minutes to play in the period. After shooting 46.3 percent (19-of-41), the Spartans took a 19 point lead into the locker room.
Dalcourt led the way offensively at the break, knocking down all four of his 3-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes for 12 points.
The second half saw Benedictine Mesa (0-4) make up some ground as they took advantage of a Spartan scoring drought. After a Dalcourt jumper gave SJSU their largest lead of the night at 25 points, the Redhawks rattled off 14 unanswered with Coleson Struhs knocking down four triples in the spree. A conventional 3 by Agee with under eight to play finally gave the Spartans a spark which they used to hit some shots and regain a firm grip on the night.
Benedictine Mesa would make one more comeback attempt as they rattled off a quick 9-0 spurt to cut the deficit to 10 at 70-60 with four minutes to play, but that was as close as the Spartans allowed them to get as they held off the Redhawks for the 16-point victory.
The Spartans (2-6, 0-4 MW) shot 43 percent for the night (33-of-77), won the rebounding battle 54-42 and committed just eight turnovers in the win.
San Jose State returns to hardwood on Friday as they hit the road for Fresno State to take on the Bulldogs for a two-game tilt.
SPARTAN ATHLETICS FUND FAN CUTOUTS:
Spartan Nation, don't miss your chance to be represented in the stands at the Provident Credit Union Event Center this season. If interested in a cardboard cutout, follow this link to register!