Welcome back, Emmanuel Omogbo.
The 20-year old forward left his Colorado State Rams men’s basketball team due to four deaths in his family in an apartment fire last Monday night. His team welcomed him back with open arms, and earned a second win since the incident, knocking off San Jose State 74-66 inside Moby Arena.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair until the Rams took the 18-12 lead with 3-pointers by J.D. Paige and Joe De Ciman. But the Spartans of San Jose State went on a 9-0 run of their own to take the 21-18 lead seven minutes into the game. CSU pushed back, though, and when Antwan Scott made two free throws and a layup, pushed their lead to seven points. SJSU scored with six seconds left in the half to bring the game to 30-26 Colorado State at the break.
Early in the second half, the Rams went on a 10-3 run to take their biggest lead of the game, at 42-32 with 15:40 to go. San Jose State kept hanging in, though, and finally a 7-0 run brought them to within two points, 55-53, with 8:07 left in regulation. The Spartans later tied it, at 57-57, with 6:30 to play. From then on, it was a close battle. Down the stretch, though, an 11-3 Rams run fueled by free throw makes led to a Rams win.
STAR OF THE GAME
Antwan Scott, who’s regularly been the star of the game, was again on Wednesday night. He scored a game-high 23 points on 7-15 shooting and added four rebounds with an assist. His steal as the play of the game was amazing.
PLAY OF THE GAME
The heartwarming play of the game occurred when the game was tied 59-59; a shot careened off the rim, Omogbo grabbed it and put it back in while he was fouled. Moby Arena cheered like the Rams had just won the game, he made the free throw, and CSU led 62-59.
Later, the biggest play of the game was Antwan Scott’s steal then coast-to-coast drive in which he slowed down to earn the contact and still made the bucket. He then made the free throw to put CSU up 64-63 with 3:07 left.
TURNING POINT
The turning point ended up being CSU’s 10-3 run early in the second half. Before the run, they led by only three, after they led by 10 and controlled for nine minutes after, until SJSU tied the game up at 57-57.
BY THE NUMBERS
CSU out-rebounded SJSU 34-27 in the game, including 12 offensive rebounds for the Rams.
The Spartans committed 11 turnovers and Colorado State scored 21 points off them.
The Rams dominated down low, out-scoring the Spartans 32-24 in the paint.
Attendance: 3,582
QUOTE OF THE GAME
“This team really needs him, he’s a big part of this team,” Antwan Scott said of Emmanuel Omogbo’s return to the Rams. “He impacted winning so much tonight. We missed him when he went home for a little while. We’re glad he went home, was able to grieve a little with his family. But, man, it’s a blessing to have him back.”
LASTING IMPACT
https://twitter.com/RichKurtzman/status/692531865769656320
https://twitter.com/RichKurtzman/status/692557737214021632
WHAT’S NEXT
Next up for Colorado State (11-8, 4-3 MW) is the Border War against Wyoming (10-12, 3-6 MW) in Laramie. That game tips off at 4 p.m. MT on Saturday, Jan. 30.
