Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics

The San Jose State Spartans defeated the New Orleans Privateers 71 – 64 at the Event Center. Louis Garrett led four Spartans (9 – 6, 3 – 1 WAC) with double figures in the scoring column with 14 points, followed by Alex Brown and DJ Brown with 13 points each. Chris Cunningham added 11 points, while leading scorer James Kinney struggled with a season-low nine points. Cunningham also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, and Alex Brown adding eight boards. DJ Brown and Kinney each had six assists to lead the Spartans.

For the game, the Spartans shot 39.1% (27-of-69) from the field, 18.8% (3-of-16) behind the 3-point line, and 51.9% (14-of-27) from the free throw line. The Spartans were out-rebounded 52 to 39.

Lovell Cook led the Privateers (3 – 11) with 20 points, followed by Rarlensee Nelson (11 points), Corey Blake (8 points) and Evans Ganapamo (8 points). Blake had 10 rebounds, while Cook pulled down nine caroms. Nelson led the Privateers in assists with four.

New Orleans shot 35.4% (23-of-65) from the field, 18.8% (3-of-16) behind the 3-point arc, and 71.4% (15-of-21) from the charity stripe.

The game was close until the Spartans pulled away late in the second half, thanks to a Garret blocked shot with 7:23 left in the game and the Privateers threatening behind a 56 – 53 deficit. Despite Kinney shooting only 3-of-18 from the field (including 0-of-7 treys), the Spartans relied on their tough defense to limit New Orleans from the field as well.

With the victory, the Spartans avenged an earlier 72-68 loss at New Orleans.

The Spartans take on Utah State on January 11 in Logan, UT.