If you just watched the first 10 minutes of San Jose State’s opening round game of
the Mountain West Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament, you got a snapshot of the team’s rebuilding season.

The Spartans’ (7-24, 3-15 MWC) 2019-20 season came to an end Wednesday with a 79-66 loss to the University of New Mexico (19-13, 7-11 MWC) in Las Vegas. 

It wasn’t all gloomy for the Spartans early in the game. They jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead at the hands of a couple 3-pointers from junior guard Richard Washington and a layup from freshman guard Omari Moore.

After that, the Lobos cranked up the intensity.

They went on a dominant 21-0 run, dunking on and stealing from the Spartans on what felt like every possession. 

Thanks to an absolutely smothering Lobos’ defense, the Spartans missed an astounding 19-consecutive shots over a stretch lasting nearly 9 minutes. In the first half alone, the Spartans turned the ball over 16 times.

SJSU rallied for 15 more points by the end of the half, but UNM held a 45-29 lead heading into the break. 

The Spartans kept up their momentum in the second half with a quick 5-0 run, and after that, the teams traded blows for the remainder of the game.

Sophomore guard Seneca Knight, the Spartans’ leading scorer in the regular season, awakened after an abysmal first half. 

After being limited to 4 points in the first20 minutes, he commanded the offense efficiently and effectively. He added 18 points to his total, finishing with 22.

Moore has made his case for a key role next season with an impressive 17-point game with an extremely efficient 8-of-10 shooting performance.

Washington, the team’s second-leading scorer in the regular season, struggled mightily. He had 8 points on just 3-of-13 shooting from the floor. All 8 of his points came in the first half.

Despite an offensive explosion from Knight, the Spartans simply couldn’t stop the Lobos. UNM shot at a 45% clip in the second half, keeping up with SJSU. 

Junior guard Vance Jackson was a force for the Lobos. He led the game with 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting and four 3-pointers.

Even with an impressive second half, the Spartans couldn’t overcome the disastrous opening 10 minutes. 

The Lobos advance to the quarterfinals of the MWC Tournament where they’ll face the Utah State Aggies.

SJSU will presumably return four starters to the team next season. Senior guard Brae Ivey, who scored 7 points with 7 rebounds Wednesday, is the lone known departure for the squad.

Continuity has been an issue for SJSU and Knight, its star player, is facing a big decision in the offseason.

 Knight would be the program’s first leading-scorer in six years to return to the team. 

If one thing is certain, his commitment to the team would be a big first step in creating more positive results for the Spartans in the future.