The SF State’s men’s basketball team fought to the end in their exhibition opener, but lost 59-44 in a defensive game where no team shot more than 36 percent.

The height of the players for San Jose State had a huge impact on the game, according to SF State’s coach Bill Treseler.

San Jose State's frontcourt, with its height advantage over the Gators, was a problem on both offense and defense.

The Gators had more shot attempts than the Spartans, but 37.8 percent of their shots were three point attempts because the Spartans’ height made it difficult to get shots driving to the basket. Lance Holloway, a 6-foot-8 junior, roamed the court and had seven of the Spartans nine block shots.

As the saying in basketball goes, “if you live by the three you die by the three,” and 12 percent shooting from behind the three-point arc for the game hurt the Gators. San Jose State packed in the key, leading to a bad shooting night for the Gators.

Treseler wanted the team to get defensive rebounds, push the ball up the court when they had the chance, and use their quickness to penetrate in half-court situations. He thought utilizing their speed was their best shot if they were going to win the game.
“You’ve got to play with no fear,” coach Treseler said. “When a team is bigger, you have to have the heart to continue to penetrate because there maybe an opportunity to create something.”

Sophomore guard Will Logan, 20, a business major, said the team came out nervous and intimidated in their first game, and didn’t do well with things that they normally don’t have a problem with.

At halftime, junior guard David Van Someren, 20, a criminal justice major, said coach Treseler put an emphasis on defense.

In the second half the Gators played better defense, limiting the Spartans to 15 fewer points, causing 11 turnovers. The Gators allowed four points in the paint and held them to a field goal percentage of 25.

This resulted in the Gators winning two important keys, the paint battle, 28-24 and the points-off-turnover battle, 17-14.

The Spartans made a living at the line, shooting 26 more free-throws, which was the difference in the game. They connected on 19 more free-throws than the Gators.

Harry Brown, a 6-foot-5 junior, was the Gators biggest problem, going to the free-throw line frequently. Brown went nine for 12 from the free-throw line and Tim Pierce, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, went three for six from the free-throw line.

Van Someren attempted the Gators first free-throw of the game, with 6:03 to go in the second half.

Alex Thomas, a sophomore guard, made the Gators first free-throw with 1:23 left in the game.

“That’s life on the road,” coach Treseler said. “You can’t worry about things that you can’t control.”

Coach Treseler thought the team did a good job of keeping their frustration to a minimum by just playing through it. He said maintaining heart will be a key to success over the season.

“I’m proud of our fight despite our field percentage and free-throws,” Logan said. “We aren’t roll-overs, we’re competitors and we’re going to be effective.”

Van Someren said defense is the key for the team because it’s going to get the team where they need to be.

The team will most likely use a small lineup, so they want to use their speed to get into transition and defense will help them get easy lay-ups or get into their offense, Van Someren said.

“Any time you hold a division one team under 60 you did a lot right. We showed a lot of toughness, battled on the boards, and kept their post-game under control,” coach Treseler said. “This game gave the players a glimpse of what they can become if they keep working hard.”