Recap: Rams second half collapse leads to 88-77 loss to Buffs

Defense. Rebounding. Winning basketball. Colorado State played it in the first half and didn’t in the second half, which led to their 88-77 loss Sunday afternoon.

It started out dreadfully for Colorado State men’s basketball Sunday as the rival Colorado Buffaloes came into Moby Arena determined to steal a win. The Buffs jumped out to a 9-2 lead on three straight 3-pointers and Larry Eustachy – as he so often does – called a timeout.

That timeout was the turning point of the first half; Colorado State played more energetic on the defensive end. John Gillon stole the ball and dished it to Joe De Ciman, who nailed a 3-pointer to cap an 11-0 run and take the 14-12 lead. The Buffs tied the scrappy contest back up at 18-18 and then a 9-0 Rams run was powered by Antwan Scott and Gian Clavell with cross-overs leading to buckets. Near the end of the half, Gillon’s and-one pushed the Rams ahead by 11 points and they led by 13 at halftime, 53-39.

But, that lead disappeared just like the Rams defense. CU soared on a 12-0 run to take the 54-53 lead, changing the dynamic of the game the rest of the way. It was a back-and-forth battle with Scott looking to take over for Colorado State. He kept the team afloat when Gillon was pulled five minutes into the half, and J.D. Paige’s 3-pointer tied the game at 68-68. It got quite physical down the stretch, the referees took over and CU knocked down free throws to gain the 76-70 advantage with 3:45 to go. Down the stretch, the Buffaloes had what it took to win the game while Colorado State couldn’t buy a bucket. The Rams shot a dreadful 21.9 percent in the second half and lost 88-77.

STAR OF THE GAME

Antwan Scott, who scored 17 points with seven rebounds and two assists, was the player of the game. Scott tried to take the game over in the second half but his efforts weren’t enough.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Jeremiah Paige’s 3-pointer to tie the game up at 68-68 was the Rams play of the game. But, the Buffs turned it on again to win the rivalry contest.

TURNING POINT

The 12-0 run by CU to start the second half was the game’s biggest turning point. They took the 54-53 lead and outscored the Rams 34-22 the rest of the way.

BY THE NUMBERS

Colorado State led by 13 at the end of the first half and lost by 11, being out-scored by 24 points in the second half alone.

CU out-rebounded CSU 42-36. The Rams were out-scored in the paint 40-22, as they were dominated down low once again.

The Rams shot 40.6 percent in the first half and a terrible 21.9 in the second half.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

“The team has to do what the coaches say to reach it’s potential,” Larry Eustachy said. “And we did the exact opposite in this game. I feel bad for our fans because it was a great crowd. It was maybe the most frustrating game I’ve ever coached.”

LASTING IMPACT

This loss is big for three reasons. First and foremost, it was to CU, the intrastate rival. Second, it’s the Rams third straight loss, dropping the team to 5-3 overall. Third, it occurred because the team didn’t defend and rebound, like Eustachy wants them to.

WHAT’S NEXT

Next up for Colorado State is another home game against Arkansas Fort-Smith on Wednesday at 7 p.m. MT.