Defense shows teeth again as CSU men's basketball beats Southeastern Louisiana

As offensively challenged as Colorado State may be at times, Larry Eustachy’s formula of rebounding and defense is starting to come to fruition. The Rams defeated Southeastern Louisiana 67-59 in game two of a three-game homestand Friday afternoon.

CSU improved to 4-1 on the season and have held opponents to 65 or fewer points in four of their fives games to begin the 2016-17 campaign.

Wednesday’s contest began with much of the same for Eustachy’s crew. At one point in the first half, the Rams and Lions were both shooting 27 percent.

Toward the end of the half, CSU endured a stretch where they went 0-for-5 from the field while the Lions went 0-for-8 in the same span. Frankly, it made for some ugly basketball.

SLU closed out the final 6:45 of the half without making a field goal.  The Rams led 29-19 at the break despite being out-rebounded 23-22.

But the green and gold started out hot in the second half, connecting on their first three shots. J.D. Paige lobbed a pass from about three-quarters of the court to Emmanuel Omogbo who dunked it home for one of the game’s highlight plays.

Both teams started to get into a rhythm offensively as the pace picked up. CSU shot 52 percent in the second half while SLU shot 45 percent.

The Lions fed off the play of Marlain Veal, who kept his team in the game with 20 points, including four makes from beyond the arc. However, SLU couldn’t contain Omogbo. The senior finished with his third double-double of the season, scoring 18 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

The Rams also got a solid performance from Devocio Butler, one of a number of newcomers who continues to improve as the season moves along. Butler came off the bench to score 12 points.

Prentiss Nixon and Paige each finished with eight points, while Che Bob and Braden Koelliker chipped in with seven points apiece.

CSU wound up out-rebounding the Lions 42-33 by game’s end. The Rams also benefited from a 16-7 edge in second chance points.

Alcorn State will get the next crack at knocking off the Rams for the first time at Moby Arena this season. Tipoff is set for Sunday at noon.