An elite shooting performance propelled the Spartans forward as they upset the University of Nevada, Reno 87 -71 at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
San José State started off the game 5-for-5 from 3-point range, with both sophomore forward Adrian Myers and senior forward Sadraque NgaNga going 2-for-2 from 3-point range in the early minutes of the first half.
The hot shooting for both players continued as the Spartans started 8-for-10 from beyond the arc, with Myers hitting four and NgaNga adding three. The crowd got into the game early and peaked as a roar of excitement swept across the stadium when NgaNga laced a fading 30-foot 3-pointer as the shot clock clicked to zero.
SJSU Head Coach Tim Miles said Myers and NgaNga being able to pop out and hit 3-pointers early puts a lot of pressure on the opposing defense.
“You know, (Myer’s shooting is) important for us because when you get (Myers) and (Sadraque) out there early in game and you start putting them in screening actions and them popping out for a 3 and they, you know, square up and make them, that puts a lot of pressure on the defense,” Miles said.
Myers capped off his night with 21 points, 13 rebounds and five threes, which are all career highs for him.
Myers said his 4-for-4 start helped set the tone early.
“I give credit to my teammates getting me open because everybody’s focused on Colby (Garland) or Melvin (Bell Jr.) driving and it leaves me open,” Myers said.
After the hot start, the Spartans’ offense was led by starting point guard Colby Garland’s 29 points and nine assists as the game’s leading scorer.
Garland has scored 20-plus points in each of his last five games and is shooting 63% from 3-point range over that span.
The Spartans’ lead grew to as much as 18 points in the first half while shooting 52.9% from 3-point range.
No one from SJSU could miss, as a fan got in on the action by hitting a half-court shot during a timeout.
The offense flowed into the second half, where the Spartans shot 50% from 3-point range, highlighted by a Garland fadeaway 3-pointer to seal the victory.
Four Spartans made multiple 3-pointers as they outshot the Wolfpack 15 to 3 from 3-point range.
“I heard a long time ago, the greatest compliment a coach can have is that the team looks like they don’t need a coach,” Miles said.
The Spartans will look to keep up their shooting on the road Saturday when they take on Boise State University at 1 p.m.
