Spring Break
SJSU drops two conference games, sinks to eighth in the WAC
Tommy Wright
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Sports
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The Spartans have been competitive in their February home games against each of the top four teams in their conference, beating the University of Nevada - Reno and Utah State University. The game against New Mexico State University in the beginning of the month came down to the final seconds, and in their contest with Boise State on Thursday, SJSU was up by six with less than eight minutes in the game - but they couldn't hold the lead.
"I think that the outcome is really a reflection of the fact that Boise is having a really good season, and they're a little mentally tougher than we are," said SJSU head coach George Nessman.
Boise State senior forward Tyler Tiedeman closed San Jose State's lead with three field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers, as the Broncos went on a 10-0 run late in the second half and took the lead for good.
"When the game was on the line, they were able to convert plays and make plays for themselves, and we weren't," Nessman said. And that's why they're in first and we're not."
Tiedeman led Boise State with 16 points and was one of five Broncos in double-figures.
Spartan freshman guard Justin Graham led his team with a game-high 20 points, his highest total since injuring his elbow in a game at Hawaii on Jan. 14.
After the game, Graham said he was improving, but still wasn't at 100 percent.
"I still got a lot of work to do, trying to get back in a consistent rhythm," Graham said. "It'll take some time."
Nessman added, "Justin (Graham) was solid. He's getting his feet back. When you sit out a month in the middle of conference play, it's really hard to jump back in and be where you were."
Graham had two turnovers against Boise State, after giving up the ball seven times in the previous game against the University of Pacific.
Spartan forwards, junior Tim Pierce and sophomore C.J. Webster, each had eight points and eight rebounds. Pierce, however, missed on each of his seven attempts from the 3-point line.
"We knew it was going to be a battle," said Boise State head coach Greg Graham. "We kind of put ourselves in a hole there for a while."
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