Mile High Sports

Rams struggle from the field; Boise State cruises to victory

Colorado State was unable to find an offensive rhythm or slow down Boise State’s as the Rams dropped the game to the visiting Broncos 87-54, Feb. 21.  The loss put the Rams at 11-18 overall on the season and 4-12 in league play, while the Broncos improved to 22-6 including a 12-4 record in league play this season.

Thanks in part to five made free throws by junior guard Prentiss Nixon, Colorado State jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead with 17:14 to go in the first half.  The six-point lead would be the largest for the Rams in the game, as the Broncos battled back with a 17-2 run giving them a 21-12 lead with over 12 minutes left before halftime, a margin they would never relinquish.  Boise State extended the lead behind 55.6 percent shooting from the floor to extend the lead to 50-29 at the break. The difference grew to as many as 42 in the second half, as CSU was held with just one basket in an 11-minute span.

On the game, Colorado State shot a season-low 28.3 percent (15-of-53) from the field, including 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from beyond the arc.  Boise State was an impressive 46.2 percent (30-of-65) from the floor and just 30.0 percent (9-of-30) from the three-point line. The Broncos dominated the glass, 51-31 and outscored the Rams 25-15 off turnovers.

The Rams had two players score in the double digits as junior forward Deion James and redshirt-junior guard J.D. Paige netted 12 points each.  Boise State had three players reach double digit points, led by guard Chandler Hutchinson’s 27, including 19 in the first half.

The Rams fall to 10-11 overall against the Broncos, including an 8-3 record at home. CSU’s assist leader Paige returned to action after missing the previous six games due to a non-shooting hand injury. This game marked the 15th time this season that redshirt-sophomore center Nico Carvacho led the team in rebounding, recording nine in the contest. Carvacho moved into sixth on the CSU single-season list with 295 rebounds this year. Next on the list is current Washington Wizard Jason Smith (2006-07) at 304. The 50 first-half points by Boise State were the most by the Broncos this season and the most given up by the Rams in the opening 20 minutes this season as well.

Colorado State plays its final regular season road contest at defending Mountain West champion and current league leader No. 20/22 Nevada, Sun., Feb. 25 at 2 pm MT. The contest between the Rams and Wolf Pack will be televised on CBS Sports Network, with Rich Waltz on the play-by-play, Bob Wenzel handling analysis and Evan Washburn on the sidelines. The game will air across the Colorado State Sports Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth and Adam Nigon on the call. The game will also have live audio on CSURams.com in partnership with SIDEARM Sports and live stats on CSURams.com. The audio broadcast of the game is also available through the TuneIn app, available on all platforms.

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