San Jose, Calif.-----San Jose State relied on the inside-outside combo of guard Adrian Oliver and forward C.J. Webster on offense in its Western Athletic Conference opener. The duo responded with 35 points, 18 by Oliver and 17 by Webster, but it was key plays by Louisiana Tech center Kenneth Cooper and two late free throws by guard James Loe that gave the Bulldogs a 66-61 win over the Spartans in the conference opener for both teams.

The Spartans (6-5, 0-1 WAC) overcame a six-point halftime deficit and led 50-44 with 10:26 after Oliver made his fourth consecutive field goal try of the second half. Webster was particularly effective inside after intermission maneuvering around Cooper and 6-foot-10 forward Magnum Rolle.

Throughout the night, San Jose State played through foul difficulties. Both Chris Oakes and Tim Pierce fouled out and Oliver and reserve forward DeVonte Thomas played the final minutes of the game with four fouls. The Spartans were called for a season-high 23 personal fouls. Louisiana Tech went to the free throw line 29 times and was able to convert 21 times for the win. The Spartans could only get to the stripe for 12 attempts.

“Louisiana Tech played the final four minutes with more purpose than we did. There were two pivotal sequences in the second half. The first was when we had a six-point lead and Kyle (Gibson) made a number of plays in a row. We took some questionable shots and that got them back to square one,” said San Jose State coach George Nessman. “Then, we got a steal around the 3:00 mark and failed to convert. And, we fouled a player 30-feet from the goal who wasn’t involved in the play. That gave them the lead. From that point it was an uphill battle.”

In the lowest scoring San Jose State game since Oliver joined the lineup on December 20, his basket with 1:42 to go tied the game at 61-61. Cooper, who led the Bulldogs (7-7, 1-0 WAC) with 17 points answered with a lay-up with 1:20 remaining and then made one of two free throws at 0:23. In between, Justin Graham drove the lane in attempt tie the game at 63-63, but had his lefthanded lay-up blocked by Rolle.

Tim Pierce had a chance to tie the game for the Spartans, but missed a three-point try with 13 seconds to go. Pierce was the only other San Jose State player in double-figure scoring with 10 points.

The Spartans shot 41.7 percent from the field, slightly less than the Bulldogs’ 42.2 percent.

“Our guys showed some toughness down the stretch. That was critical,” said Louisiana Tech coach Kerry Rupp. “We did the little things, get back, make it a 5-on-5 game in the halfcourt, contest and challenge everything. And, then block out, which I didn’t think we did a good job.

The Louisiana Tech added the Bulldogs were very aware of Oliver's every move in the offensive zone.

"We tried to be there when he caught the ball. If we could deny him, that would be great. If not, be sure to arrive when he catches it," assessed Rupp. "He's a great player. He can catch and shoot. He's very good with the middle game. He's one of the best in the WAC."

San Jose State returns to action Monday, January 5, hosting New Mexico State. Game time is 7:00 p.m.