RAMS WIN SHOCKER CSU routs favored CU 72-58
CSU wins in Boulder for 2nd time in a row
boulder» Not long ago, wins by the Colorado State men’s basketball team in Boulder were unthinkable.
From 1979 to 2012, the Rams earned a road win over their in-state rivals just once, a Jason Smith-led victory in 2006.
Oh, how things have changed.
CSU’s last two trips to the Coors Events Center have now resulted in victories after a surprising 72-58 win by the Rams on Wednesday night.
It’s the first time since 1950 and 1951 that CSU has won two straight on the road at CU.
“Y’all thought we were going to lose by 16,” CSU senior forward Emmanuel Omogbo said, referencing the fact his team was a double-digit underdog, “and guess what, we beat them by 14.”
The Rams pulled off the upset despite some serious foul trouble throughout the second half in a game that featured 55 total infractions called.
Two of CSU’s best bigs men, Omogbo and Nico Carvacho, picked up their fourth fouls midway through the second half, while guard J.D. Paige also played with four fouls for a large stretch.
But the Rams still found a way, turning a two-point lead with 10:31 to go into a doubledigit advantage the final four minutes, holding the Buffs (5-2) to 32.2 percent shooting and just 23.5 percent in the second half.
Carvacho had his best game yet as a Ram, finishing with a career-best 14 points and seven rebounds before fouling out with six minutes to play. Omogbo managed to stay in until the end and had 15 points and seven rebounds.
“Same thing every game. If we limit them under 30 (percent shooting), we’re going to get it, and that’s exactly what we did,” Omogbo said. “I’m so proud of Nico and everybody who stepped up. The young guys really stepped up. My point guard, J.D. (Paige), he was out there playing. I’m just proud of the guys.”
CSU also go 13 points from Devocio Butler and 11 from Paige, who made a huge 3pointer with 3:12 to play to give the Rams a nine-point lead.
Derrick White led the Buffs with 17 points, while Wesley Gordon added 11.
CSU improved to 6-1 on the season while CU fell to 5-2.
The physical matchup featuring two defensive-minded teams was largely decided at the free-throw line. CSU went 26-of-33 at the charity stripe, CU just 17-of-31.