Colorado State moves to 15-1 with a convincing road win over Air Force

DENVER — The Colorado State men’s basketball team is off to its best start through 16 games in program history. 

The 2021-22 Rams came into Saturday’s matchup tied with the 2014-15 team for the best start through 15 games. After taking down the Air Force Falcons 73-53 on Saturday afternoon, though, this year’s group has established early success in a way that no other Rams team ever has. 

It didn’t look like it would be a blowout early. Despite passing the ball well and looking crisp with their pace, the Rams really struggled to knock down open jump shots for much of the first half. The offensive approach was clean, many of the attempts from the floor were open and in rhythm, but the shots simply wouldn’t go for CSU. It was that inability to find the bottom of the net that ultimately allowed the Falcons to hang within striking distance early. 

Fortunately for the Ram faithful, with about 6:00 remaining until the break, David Roddy was able to spark a 6-0 run for the Green & Gold. After getting mugged in the paint and not getting the foul called one on possession, Roddy followed it up by draining a frustration three on the following possession, and then led the break in transition for another three on the ensuing one as well. 

After a fairly slow start offensively, beginning with that little run, CSU was able to close out the first half with 16 points over the final 6 minutes to establish a double digit lead (31-17). And from that point the Rams never really looked back. It wasn’t a total rout or anything like that — Air Force never laid down — but the Falcons also never really threatened to make the game close again either, especially with CSU’s offense coming to life over the final 25 minutes or so. 

After not being able to sink a jump shot early, the Rams completely flipped a switch down the stretch. CSU started the second half by going 14-of-17 from the floor and really just wore down Air Force with great team basketball. When it was all said and done, CSU shot 69.6 percent from the floor over the final 20 minutes to bury their in-state rivals and increase the winning streak to four games. It was an impressive display of composed basketball from a group playing in an arena that Utah State and UNLV have both already lost in. 

Isaiah Stevens led the Rams in scoring in this one, finishing the victory with 18 points in 30 minutes. Much like it has been over the past couple of wins, though, the production was fairly evenly distributed. John Tonje was able to come off the bench to score 15 points on 80 percent shooting (4-of-5). Roddy had 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists. After getting held scoreless against New Mexico, Kendle Moore had 9 points on Saturday as well. 

Now back to their winning ways, we’ll see if CSU can keep the streak rolling at home next week against Nevada and UNLV, before traveling to Wyoming for a massive matchup with the Pokes on Jan. 31. The top of the Mountain West continues to be really tight, so every game is going to count that much more over the final six weeks. 

Buckle up, Ram fans. It’s going to be a crazy ride.