The San Jose State men’s basketball team (7-14, 3-6 MWC), losing its previous three games, has gotten back on track with a 90-81 victory against the Air Force Falcons (9-12, 3-6 MWC) Saturday afternoon.
“The mentality was that it was the next game and you have to prepare. We don’t think about streaks,” head coach Jean Prioleau said. “Whether it’s losing or winning, you just think about the next opponent and you try to prepare for that game.”
The game was a close and competitive match. However, the Spartans eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Senior guard Brae Ivey iced the game with some decisive free throws down the stretch.
“I would say that we are a hungry team,” freshman guard Omari Moore said. “We haven’t been the best in the past couple years so we’re hungry. We wanted to push the ball and attack in the open court.”
And push the ball they did. The Spartans went on to outscore Air Force 34-5 on fast break points.
The Spartans used their speed to their advantage to get easy points in transition.
“We know that it’s a process and that we have our ups and downs so we just come in every day and be ready to play,” sophomore guard Seneca Knight said. “We had a bad game last game and the other two we came up short, but not by that much, so we just needed progress and consistency.”
Knight lead the Spartans in scoring with 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Shooting an efficient 7 of 12 from the field, he was a major catalyst for the Spartan’s offense against the Falcons.
“I don’t really think about getting my own, as much as I know that my scoring helps the team,” Knight said. “And my teammates just do a good job of finding me in open spots and I’m just able to knock the shot down.”
After the game, coach Prioleau went on to praise his starting guard’s work ethic.
“[Knight] has been playing hard ever since
he’s been here. That’s
the one thing he does, “ Prioleau said. “He works extremely hard.”
The Spartan bench also came alive , scoring 41 bench points in contrast to the Falcon’s 19.
Notably, three players had double figures coming off the bench for San Jose State.
“I thought that was big. I tried shortening the bench sometimes. I’ve played guys who haven’t played a lot,” Prioleau said. “I like it when I’m able to play the bench because it shows some depth. Guys aren’t afraid to come in and make something happen.”
The Spartans move to a 7-14 overall record hoping this win will be a turning point to the season. Furthermore, Knight touched on how it is a process and the mentality the team needs to bring.
“We’re just coming into work to try and change the narrative,” Knight said. “[The three game losing streak] did not deter us from anything we’d been doing.”
SJSU will look to capitalize and build upon this newfound momentum.
The Spartans take on Mountain West Conference rival Boise State Broncos next in Idaho.
“I thought we played a pretty good game. We shot the ball really well and they shot the ball really well,” Prioleau said. “There is a lot of basketball to be played and we’re going to continue to and just get better each and every day.”
