[jwplayer tJPh0k22-sNi3MVSU]
San Jose State able to pick up there first division 1 win.
Contact/Follow @MWCwire
Bethune Cookman, which is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, came in ranked 315 in the KenPom Rankings. The Spartans, who had multiple chances with late leads in the tournament in the Bahamas to finish out games, were able to take advantage of one of the weakest teams left on their schedule.
San Jose was able to gain an early advantage with offensive rebounds as it was apparent they had a size advantage with three big men in the game in Oumar Barry, Craig LeCesne, and Michael Steadman. The Spartans had built a 12-7 lead when, after a block by Steadman, he was hit with a technical foul for trash talking. This seemed to swing momentum to the Wildcats as they went on an 11-2 run. At halftime, Bethune Cookman was up 35-32 in what was a back and forth first half.
The second half was just as close as neither team was able to build more than a 4 point lead the rest of the way. Oumar Barry opened up the scoring in the second half when he finished an alley-oop, he finished the game with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Although, it was Michael Steadman who lead all scorers with 15 points and came up with 13 rebounds, all while shooting 70%. So far Steadman has looked like the best player on this young team, he is tied for the team lead in points per game at 13.3 and leads the team in rebounds per game at 8.9. The 8.9 rebounds per game are more than 3 more than anyone else on the team.
Noah Baumann was able to push the Spartans over the hump tonight as with 4:25 left in the game he hit a huge 3 to tie the game at 58-58. After a turnover by the Wildcats, Baumann hit another 3 but after a timeout, the Wildcats also hit one of there own to tie it back up. With only 43 seconds remaining, Steadman was able to finish a layup from a Baumann assist. On the next possession, the Spartans played good defense and Steadman came down with the rebound and was fouled. He made one of two free throws to give the Spartans a 2 point lead, but the Wildcats had a chance. Bethune Cookman would end up missing an open three at the buzzer as the Spartans picked up the win at home.
lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=645997137]