Ruston, La.-----San Jose State could not handle Louisiana Tech's
defensive pressure and dropped a 75-49 decision in a Western Athletic
Conference men's basketball game.
The Bulldogs (14-14, 4-7 WAC) won their third game in a row forcing
the Spartans (9-18, 1-10) into 18 turnovers, matching a San Jose State
season-high.
"Louisiana Tech's pressure and traps really bothered
us. They forced us into turnovers a number of times and created scores
out of those. That's how they got the lead; that's how they extended the
lead," said San Jose State coach George Nessman about the Bulldogs'
three-quarter court trapping defense. "I'm really disappointed in our
ball security tonight. That's not been an issue for our team, literally.
Tonight, it was a huge issue. I have to credit La Tech for their
excellence on defense and chastise our entire team and program for our
lack of toughness with the ball."
San Jose State entered the game 16th nationally for fewest turnovers
per game at 11.0. Louisiana Tech scored 23 points off of the Spartans'
inability to hold on to the ball.
The Bulldogs came into the game
as the WAC's most prolific three-point shooting team in the conference,
but instead used penetrating drives into the paint with center Romario
Souza finishing a number of plays with layups. Louisiana Tech's senior
center scored a career high 19 points. Freshman guard Raheem Appleby,
the team's leading scorer, was 8-of-13 from the field for 17 points.
Louisiana Tech made 53.4 percent of its field goal tries compared to
San Jose State's 34.7 percent. The Spartans trailed 32-22 at halftime
and had just two three-point baskets by James Kinney, who finished with
six points, in the first 10 minutes of the second half. With 10 minutes
remaining, the Spartans were down, 54-29.
"I was very, very pleased with our effort. We were very, very good. We
took great shots and we guarded and pressured without fouling. Our
(defensive) awareness and communication was so good," said Louisiana Tech coach Michael White.
Wil
Carter was the only double-figure scorer for San Jose State with 17
points. Center Stephon Smith was 4-of-5 from inside for 8 points.
Outside of the Spartans' two frontcourt starters, the rest of the team
was 8-of-35 from the field.
"We didn't play smart. We had too many turnovers and I think they
scored on almost every single one of them. It's hard to win that way,"
said Carter, who matched Souza with eight rebounds. "There was a lack of
focus, a lack of intensity, a lack of confidence. We played scared."
San Jose State moves on to New Mexico State for its last
regular-season road game, Saturday, February 25. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
(MST).
There will be more San Jose State television opportunities resulting from the Mountain...
Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics
