By Lindsey Boyd (@lindsboyd3)
San Jose State defeated local rival Santa Clara University 75-63 Thursday night at the Leavey Center.
It is the first time since 2009 that SJSU topped the Broncos in Santa Clara and the first time the Spartans have beaten the crosstown rival in back-to-back seasons since the 1985-86 and 1986-87 campaigns.
The Spartans (3-8) started the game on an 11-0 run and held the Broncos (3-9) to an 18-point, 17.9-percent shooting performance in the first half. SJSU led by as many as 26, tripling the Broncos at one point (39-13) late in the first half.
Things got interesting however, as SCU turned its opening half three-point shooting slump (2-17) around in the first 10 minutes of the second half to cut the deficit to five.
“Again, we are an inconsistent team,” said head coach Jean Prioleau. “Second half, the press bothered us but we were able to handle it.”
Junior forward Ryan Welage was hot from downtown, sinking 3-of-4 on his way to a team-high 21 points.
Welage and redshirt freshman forward Keith Fisher III combined to have more points (20) than the entire Broncos team in the first half.
As a result of the Broncos’ press, the Spartans turned the ball over several times which lead to SCU’s 25-10 rally, which lasted nearly eight minutes in the second frame.
In total, SJSU had 20 turnovers compared to Santa Clara’s 7.
“We didn’t actually change our game plan,” Prioleau said of adjusting on defense. “We didn’t go and extend out because if you do that now you’re giving up drives to the basket.”
Fisher III had a career-high 15 points and 13 rebounds to mark his first career double-double.
Prioleau said he was proud of Fisher and expects both him and Oumar Barry to draw more fouls and sink more free throws.
“This is exactly what we needed going into conference play,” Fisher said on snapping the five-game losing streak.
SJSU begins conference play next Wednesday, Dec. 27 at Utah State.