Carl English, who came into the game leading the Western Athletic Conference in scoring with 20 points per game for Hawai'i (11-3, 4-2 WAC), was held to a season-low six points on 2-of-9 shooting. He fouled out with four minutes to play.

San Jose State (4-10, 1-4) jumped out to an early lead with an aggressive defense that contained English and recorded eight first-half steals. The Spartans led by 14 points, 43-29, at halftime.

Antonio Lawrence scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half to pace San Jose State early, and Keith Everage, who was averaging less than 20 minutes and six points per game, played the entire game and added 14 points. Lawrence and Everage each grabbed 11 rebounds.

Hawai'i's Phil Martin, who played only two minutes in the first half, scored for 14 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half and finished with a team-high 18 points.

It's the second straight season San Jose State has started the season winless in the conference, but then upset Hawai'i. Last year the Spartans won 57-53 after starting 0-6 in WAC play.