Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics Tim Pierce led the Spartans with 21 points and 15 rebounds. (Photo by Terrell Lloyd)
Moraga, Calif.-----The front line of forwards Tim Pierce and C.J. Webster and center Chris Oakes each posted a double-double as San Jose State University defeated William Jessup University, 82-61, in the consolation round game of the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic.
Pierce led all players in scoring with 21 points and a career high 15 rebounds. The 6-foot-10 Oakes also had a career-high 17 rebounds and scored a season-high 18 points. Webster, the powerful 6-foot-9, 255-pound junior, chipped in with 15 points and 10 rebounds for his third straight double-digit scoring effort.
“Before the game, we talked about being solid and being smart for 40 minutes and I think we did that. You never take anybody lightly. First of all, it’s disrespectful. Secondly, they’ll bite you. Morgan State was up on this team by 18 last night with nine minutes to go and won at the buzzer. They’re better than what people might think based on their name,” said San Jose State coach George Nessman.
“We came out focused and ready to play. We were mad about last night (losing to Saint Mary’s). We couldn’t dwell on last night. So, we had to move on,” said Pierce. “Coach told us they really could not guard us inside. They didn’t have anyone strong enough to guard Chris (Oakes) and C.J. Through them, we got the whole game going.”
San Jose State (6-4) picked up its fourth win in the last five games dominating post play on both ends of the floor. The Spartans pulled down 65 rebounds, one of the top five rebounding figures by a Division I team this season. William Jessup (6-10), who did not have a player taller than 6-foot-7, trailed the entire game.
“We’re certainly moving in a positive direction. No one can dispute that. We need to build on success. We have to stay focused on getting better rather than thinking we have done something,” added Nessman.
Guard Adrian Oliver who scored 80 points in his first three San Jose State games only played in the first half and was scoreless. He was 0-of-5 from the field.
San Jose State returns to action, Saturday, January 3, hosting Louisiana Tech in the conference opener at Walt McPherson Court. Game time is 5:30 p.m. and is the first game of a doubleheader. The Spartan women's team hosts Santa Clara in an 8:00 p.m. nightcap.
Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics
