By Andrew Talamantes (@DrewTooSavvy):
A day after giving thanks, San Jose State (1-3) looked to turn things around on the court against the University of Pacific (3-1) eager for a win Friday night in Stockton.
The Spartans late third quarter comeback fell short losing a heartbreaker to the Tigers 106-97.
San Jose State’s women’s basketball team has struggled when down late in the second half and that’s where the Spartans were challenged again tonight.
After going down at halftime 59-48, SJSU showed grit with a 32-19 third-quarter push to take the lead going into the fourth 80-78.
Leading the charge for the Spartans was freshman forward Mikaylah Wilson, who led her team in scoring with a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out in the final frame.
One of the main reasons the Spartans stayed in the game was their ability to shoot from beyond the arc, shooting 52 percent on the night.
Another key piece of the San Jose State’s offense was sophomore guard Analyss Benally, who scored 15 points of her own, draining five of her nine shots from behind the arc.
This proved to be a big turnaround for Benally after making three of nine from long distance in their loss against Portland State on Sunday.
However, it was too much for the Spartans to overcome.
The Tigers’ scoring trio of sophomore guard Janelle Grant, senior guard Geanna Luaulu-Summers, and junior guard Ameela Li combined for 65 of UOP’s 109 points.
Although the Tiger’s shot only 20 percent from the three point line in the second half, their ability to cash in on contested jumpers and get to the rim proved to be too much for the Spartans.
SJSU will try and end its two game losing streak tomorrow, as it goes up against Hampton University in Stockton at 1 p.m.