The San Jose State mens’ basketball team put up a fight on Monday but ultimately lost 54-85 in its first game against San Diego State. 

Monday’s loss in San Diego ended the team’s (8-3, 14-4 MWC) three-game winning streak, which was the longest winning streak since head basketball coach Jean Prioleau joined the coaching staff in 2017.  

The game started off neck and neck with both teams making shots early into the first half.  

The Spartans managed to score 9 of the first 16 shots they put up. 

SJSU was able to overtake SDSU (14-4, 8-3 MWC) to secure a 21-20 lead in the first half.

SJSU was unable to continue that momentum despite shooting the ball consistently in the first half. 

The Spartans lost the one-point lead they held in the first half and the Aztecs took over from there. 

SJSU gave up 26 points off 13 turnovers and an additional 26 on second chance points.

The Spartans slowed down offensively after the first half and only made 17 out of 50 shots for the night.

SJSU faced a rough night with their offense, shooting under 34% from the field compared to the team’s 38% average. 

Guard Jalen Dalcourt was the Spartans highest scorer for the night. Dalcourt was 3 for 8 at the three point line, and went 2 for 2 from the free throw line. 

Guard Trey Smith was the second highest scorer of the night with 12 points, following closely behind Dalcourt who scored 13 points. 

For the last four games, Smith has been averaging 16 points per game for the Spartans. 

In the second half, the Aztecs came out with the same offensive energy they used to end the first half. SDSU started the second half on a 12-2 run and managed to get five dunks on SJSU. 

As the game progressed, the Spartans couldn’t keep up and only shot 27.3% in the second half. 

Despite shooting poorly from the field, the Spartans shot 72.2% from the free throw line, compared to their season average of 64.4%. 

Guard Sebastian Mendoza fouled out with six minutes left, making it the second game he’s fouled out this season. 

Forward Michael Ofoegbu returned after being unable to play since the season opener. 

He suffered an injury during the first three minutes of the opening game on Dec. 9. 

He’s been recovering since then and came prepared to play Monday. 

He ended the night with 5 points. 

The Aztecs capitalized on rebounds (30-54), an area the Spartans were lacking all night. Forward Ralph Agee was able to secure five rebounds for SJSU. He had the most rebounds of the night for the Spartans, but it was not enough to compete with the Aztecs’ defense. 

SJSU did not give up, but the score gap between the two teams was too big to overcome. 

The Spartans will play the Aztecs again tonight at 8 p.m. 

All Mountain West basketball teams are playing back to back to minimize travel amid the 
coronavirus pandemic.