Recap: Rams late turnovers turn into SDSU win, 69-62

Close, but no cigar.

Colorado State – San Diego State; It’s almost always a fun time when the two teams get together. It was a nail-biter once again on Wednesday night, but the Aztecs edged out the Rams 69-62 in the end.

Colorado State Rams men’s basketball started out strong with an 8-0 run and the 10-4 lead early powered by forward Tiel Daniels strong inside scoring. SDSU ran back, bringing the contest to 16-14 CSU when Malik Pope scored a layup and hit a 3-pointer. Then, Kimani Jackson heated up, hitting three attempts in a row, while Prentiss Nixon nailed a 3 to push the Rams lead to their biggest of the first half, 21-14. Two straight 3-pointers by Jeremy Hemsley brought the game to 21-20 CSU and it stayed close throughout the rest of the first half. Colorado State took the 31-29 lead at halftime by making five straight free throws to end the period.

The second half started like the first half ended; close. CSU took a two-point lead, SDSU tied the game. And so it went until the Rams went on their nearly four minute long scoring drought and the Aztecs took their biggest lead of the night (5) as Malik Pope heated up. But, back-to-back 3-pointers by CSU gave the Rams the lead back at 49-48 with nine minutes to go. With 3:30 to play, it was all tied up, 56-56 after Pope hit a two and “shhed” the crowd. Down the stretch, SDSU out-scored Colorado State 10-3 as the Rams turned the ball over three times in the final minute.

STARS OF THE GAME

Joe De Ciman, with 15 points on four made 3-pointers, and Tiel Daniels (16 points) were the Rams stars.

For SDSU, the star was Malik Pope, who scored 14 points on 5-8 shooting.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Fred Richardson’s effort off the foul line was magnificent. With the Aztecs ahead 62-60, Tiel Daniels missed a free throw and Richardson pushed passed two SDSU players, secured the rebound and then was fouled. He hit two from the charity stripe to tie the game. But the Aztecs scored seven straight to win.

TURNING POINT

Early in the second half, Colorado State went on a scoring drought – going 1-8 from the floor and committing an offensive foul – which allowed San Diego State to take their biggest lead of the game at 46-41. It was the Aztecs’ first lead since 4-2 very early on.

BY THE NUMBERS

The usually hot shooting Rams were ice cold from downtown on Wednesday, going 6-25 (24 percent) from outside the arc.

Despite the Aztecs numerous taller players, Colorado State dominated inside the painted area. The Rams led in the points in the paint category for most of the game but it ended 24-24 down low.

CSU led in rebounding 36-30 while SDSU won the bench scoring battle 21-11.

Attendance: 4,018

QUOTE OF THE GAME

“The whole team was tougher than us tonight,” Joe De Ciman complimenting SDSU.

LASTING IMPACT

This marks the Rams second Mountain West loss of the season. It was a game Colorado State seemed to be in control of for most of the first half, but that scoring drought and then late turnovers sank the team who fails to have a killer instinct.

WHAT’S NEXT

Next up for Colorado State (10-7, 2-2 MW) is a home game against Utah State (10-6, 2-3 MW) on Saturday, Jan. 16. Tip-off was moved and is now at 2 p.m. MT. The game is CSU’s annual “White Out” so make sure to wear white when you attend!