Offensive struggles, turnovers bite Rams on road against Bulldogs

Colorado State had no answers in the first game of one of their season’s most difficult road trips. The shorthanded Rams (11-8, 3-3) were throttled in a 78-57 loss to Fresno State on Wednesday night.

It was CSU’s largest margin of defeat since early November of the 2013-14 season when they lost by 32 at Gonzaga.

Both CSU and FS struggled mightily on the offensive end at the outset, going a combined 2-of-13 from the field. FS took control though at about the midway point of the first half. The Bulldogs led 23-12 at the under-8 media timeout.

CSU went on a mini 6-0 run to pull within eight points before FS extended their lead again. Rodney Terry’s crew took a 37-25 lead into the locker room. The Rams got next to nothing going offensively, as evidenced by just three first half assists and eight turnovers.

Things just snowballed for the green and gold in the second half. The Bulldogs hit open looks on their way to shooting 44 percent for the game. Terry saw three of his players reach at least 15 points.

As will likely be the case for the rest of the season, the Rams were dominated in bench points. Bulldogs reserves outscored Braden Koelliker, Anthony Bonner and Juan Sabino 27-6.

For the game, CSU shot 34 percent while FS shot 44 percent from the field. However, it was 3-point shooting that turned out to be a major difference. The Rams were a brutal 3-of-21 from beyond the arc while the Bulldogs were 11-of-28.

Sharing the ball and getting quality offensive possessions were focal points in the second half as well. FS totaled 18 assists by game’s end while CSU finished with five.

Omogbo (14), Nixon (13), Carvacho (12) and Clavell (10) all reached double figures for the Rams.

WHAT’S NEXT

CSU heads to Utah State to complete their two-game road trip Saturday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.