With a trip to Boulder just three days away, Colorado State men’s basketball needed to be sharp in Sunday’s afternoon contest against Alcorn State. The Rams defeated the Braves 80-58 as J.D. Paige scored a career-high 23 points.

Paige got off to a blistering start, scoring eight points in the game’s first eight minutes. He then drove down the lane and finished with his left hand for a three-point opportunity. Paige scored from just about everywhere in the first half, including going 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Paige’s 19 points in the opening 20 minutes lifted the Rams to a 44-33 halftime advantage.

Other CSU players followed suit in the second half, as senior forward Emmanuel Omogbo notched his fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Anthony Bonner and Prentiss Nixon combined for 17 points.

The green and gold overmatched the Braves on the glass, out-rebounding them 47-25. Eustachy’s crew got 52 of their 80 points either inside the paint or at the free throw line.

Despite the 22-point margin of victory, CSU turned the ball over a whopping 16 times compared to Alcorn State, who had just six turnovers. Even so, Eustachy has to be thrilled with his team shooting a season-best 56 percent.

The Rams improved to 5-1, with each win coming at Moby Arena. Omogbo and Paige figure to be leaned on heavily Wednesday when CSU attempts to knock off 5-1 Colorado. Like the Rams, the Buffaloes are also unbeaten at home.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. from the Coors Event Center.