San José State Basketball Falls to UNLV 82-75: Garland & Goodarzi Lead Offense

by Chief Editor

The San José State Spartans men’s basketball team (6-18, 1-12 MW) suffered an 82-75 loss to UNLV (12-12, 7-6 MW) Tuesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Spartans Mount Comeback, Fall Short

Despite erasing an early nine-point deficit and briefly taking a three-point lead in the first half, San José State ultimately trailed 45-41 at halftime. The Spartans managed to tie the game at 49-49 early in the second half, but a 13-6 run by UNLV extended their lead to 13 points with 8:56 remaining. Though San José State narrowed the gap to three points in the final minutes, they were unable to complete the comeback.

Did You Know? Colby Garland tallied 25 shots, the most in a single game for the Spartans since Omari Moore had 26 shots against Boise State on February 25, 2023.

Colby Garland led the Spartans with 23 points, while Pasha Goodarzi recorded a career-high 21 points. Melvin Bell Jr. Contributed nine points and four rebounds, and Sadraque NgaNga added nine points and eight rebounds off the bench. The Spartans were limited to a seven-player rotation due to injuries.

Individual Performances Highlight Effort

Garland has now scored 20 or more points in three consecutive games and has reached the 20-point mark 11 times this season and 14 times in his career. Goodarzi scored in double figures for the second straight game and has hit multiple three-pointers in four consecutive games. He also went a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line, setting a new career high for made free throws.

Expert Insight: The Spartans’ reliance on only seven players, coupled with Garland and Goodarzi playing the full 40 minutes, suggests a significant challenge related to team depth and potential fatigue as the season progresses. Maintaining consistent performance under these conditions will be a key factor moving forward.

Japhet Moupadele knocked down a career-high three three-pointers, while Adrian Myers set a new career high with eight assists, also recording six rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. The Spartans have kept turnovers to seven or fewer in three straight games.

Looking Ahead

The Spartans will next host Grand Canyon on Saturday, February 14, at 2 p.m. At the Provident Credit Union Event Center. The game will be available to watch on the Mountain West Network.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the game?

The final score was UNLV 82, San José State 75.

Who led the Spartans in scoring?

Colby Garland led the Spartans with 23 points.

How many players did the Spartans apply in the game?

The Spartans played only seven players due to multiple injuries.

As the Spartans prepare to host Grand Canyon, what adjustments might they build to address their current challenges and build momentum for the remainder of the season?

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