Over and out: Shorthanded Colorado State folds to Fresno State in MW Semifinals

Sometimes you win, but most of the time you lose in Las Vegas.

That was the case Friday night for Colorado State as they lost 64-56 to the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Mountain West semifinals.

Before the game even began, Colorado State Rams men’s basketball was behind the eight ball. Not only were they the No. 6 seed against the No. 2 seed Fresno State Bulldogs – who sport MW first-team player Marvelle Harris, but the Rams were also without starting forward Emmanuel Omogbo. Omogbo couldn’t play due to an injured hamstring, but, considering that, things started remarkably for the Rams.

CSU led 10-4 early on the strength of Antwan Scott’s hot scoring; eight points early. Then, the Rams led by as much as 11, at 23-12 until Fresno State went on an 11-2 run to bring it to 25-23 Colorado State. Then, all of a sudden, neither team could buy a bucket. And the Rams missed 13 straight attempts from the floor to end the half, but still somehow led 33-32.

Part of the problem with CSU’s offense was the need for backups to be in the game due to two foul calls on Antwan Scott, Tiel Daniels and Joe De Ciman. Simply said, Rams head coach Larry Eustachy was not happy about the game being called so tightly.

Larry Eustachy's halftime comments about his starters in foul trouble. #mwbb #MWMadness #CSURams @CSUMensBball pic.twitter.com/hogNFO2P0m

— Rich (midnight blue 🌠and sunshine yellow ☀️) (@RichKurtzman) March 12, 2016

But, to start the second half, the Rams continued to be ice cold shooting the rock and fell behind with a quickness. CSU started the second half shooting nine percent from the field – that is not a typo – and extending into the first half made only 1-of-24 shots at one point. Over time, Fresno pushed their lead to 11 to tie their biggest margin, with 12 minutes to go in regulation. But, the Rams kept fighting and clawing, bringing the game to only four points when John Gillon sank two straight free throws with only 4:51 to play.

Then it was a three-point deficit hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 3:18 to go. That’s as close as CSU would come.

STAR OF THE GAME

John Gillon led the team in scoring with 13 points and went 1-12 from the floor. He’s a microcosm of the game.

TURNING POINT

That 1-24 scoring drought was the turning point, allowing Fresno State to take an 11-point lead they’d never relinquish.

BY THE NUMBERS

1-24: CSU didn’t make a basket from the floor from the 9:45 mark in the first half until the 16:56 mark in the second half. That’s 12:44 of gametime without a bucket. Then, it too CSU another 4:42 to make their second field goal from the floor in the second half, at 11:12 to play in regulation.

After starting the game making 8-15 baskets, CSU finished the game shooting 5-42. Appalling.

LASTING IMPACT

This is Fred Richarson, Joe De Ciman, Tiel Daniels and Antwan Scott’s final game. Unless..

WHATS NEXT

Unless the Rams pay to play in the CIT. We’ll see what happens.