Second Half Stumble Spoils Men’s Basketball Against San Jose State

Loyola men’s basketball fell 63-51 to San Jose State University in their final game of the Acrisure Series Nov. 26, despite a strong first half. First-year guard Chuck Love III and third-year center Miles Rubin scored a Loyola high 13 points while San Jose State’s third-year guard Colby Garland and second-year guard Jermaine Washington each had a game high 15. 

Three minutes of scoreless play started the game until Love III was fouled on a 3-pointer attempt and made all three at the line. Third-year guard Deywilk Tavarez added a dunk to the board, leaving the Spartans scoreless. 

San Jose State’s fourth-year forward Sadraque NgaNga got the Spartans on the board with a layup, which redshirt third-year guard Justin Moore combatted with one of his own. Rubin and NgaNga traded jumpers before fourth-year guard Kymany Houinsou slammed a dunk, keeping the Ramblers ahead 11-4. 

A Rubin dunk was met with a successful trip to the line from NgaNga before Rubin hit a jumper. Third-year Spartans forward Marcus Overstreet and Tavarez traded field goals as Washington scored his first points of the night with a three. 

San Jose State’s redshirt first-year guard Ben Roseborough followed suit with a three of his own before trading jumpers with Rubin. Love III kept the Ramblers in the game with a 3-pointer, increasing the lead to 22-16. 

A Washington jumper was met with a Houinsou three, prompting a minute of scoreless action. Fourth-year San Jose State forward Yaphet Moundi broke the drought with a dunk, and NgaNga added a free throw to the board. 

After a San Jose State timeout, Tavarez and Moundi added field goals for their respective teams. Garland’s jumper brought the Spartans within two and Moore added distance with one at the line. NgaNga hit a layup to make it a one-point game as Love III kept the lead with Loyola with a 3-pointer. 

Almost two minutes of no points plagued the court before Garland scored the final points of the half on a layup, sending the teams into halftime with Loyola ahead 31-29. 

Roseborough opened the second half with a three, claiming the first San Jose State lead of the game. Washington and NgaNga each followed up with a layup before the Ramblers could score. 

Houinsou slammed a dunk for some Loyola momentum, and Washington and Love III traded 3-pointers to keep the Spartans in the lead at 39-36. 

Two free throws from Moundi were cancelled out by a Rubin layup. Three free throws — one from Garland and two from Washington — and a Garland jumper gave San Jose State an eight-point advantage. Tavarez applied some pressure with a three, but Garland hit a jumper on the next possession to keep the momentum with the Spartans. 

San Jose State’s first-year guard Melvin Bell Jr. and Garland prompted a 9-2 run. Washington’s 3-pointer and a Moundi layup completed the run. Lone free throws from Rubin and Love III were the only points seen by the Ramblers in three minutes, leaving Loyola behind 57-43. 

A Garland jumper was met with a Rubin layup before second-year guard Kayde Dotson sank two consecutive 3-pointers. Garland and Moundi each had a successful trip to the line, increasing their lead to 63-51, the final points of the game.

Two minutes of scoreless play, including three missed 3-pointers and a turnover for Loyola and four misses from the Spartans, ended the game in San Jose State’s favor, 63-51. 

The Ramblers return to Gentile Arena Dec. 2 to take on Central Michigan University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and can be streamed on Marquee Sports Network.