SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Colby Garland scored a career-high 30 points, shooting an impressive 11-of-13 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, to lead the San José State men’s basketball team (0-2, 0-0 MW) in a 85-74 to UC Santa Barbara (2-0, 0-0 Big West) Saturday afternoon from The Thunderdome. 

After trailing 45–28 at halftime, the Spartans opened the second half on a 12–4 run fueled by Garland’s midrange attack and a three-pointer from Jermaine Washington. San José State cut the deficit to as few as five (70–65) with 5:17 remaining, but UCSB responded with a 10–5 run to close out the game.

The Spartans shot 52 percent from the field (26-for-50) and 81 percent from the line, while UCSB hit 57.7 percent overall, including 11-of-22 from beyond the arc. San José State forced 18 Gaucho turnovers and turned them into 14 points.

Freshman guard Ben Roseborough chipped in 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting in his first career start, while Melvin Bell Jr. also added 12 points and five rebounds. Washington contributed nine points.

Garland’s 51 points are the most recorded for the Spartans in their first two games to open a season since Richard Washington put up 55 points across two games to open the 2020-21 season
Garland is the first and only player in the Mountain West to score 30 points in a game this season
Garland is the first Spartan this century to score 30 points on 85 percent shooting
Garland also led the Spartans with four assists
Bell Jr. recorded his first career field goal in the game
Bell Jr.’s five rebounds led the team
Roseborough went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc
UCSB is ranked No. 15 in College Insider’s mid-major top 25 rankings

UP NEXT: The Spartans will head to East Lansing, Mich. to face No. 22 Michigan State on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 3:30 p.m. PT. The game can be watched on the B1G Network.

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