UPDATE: The Colorado State Rams just secured their fourth consecutive victory, decisively defeating Dartmouth 76-55 at Moby Arena earlier today. This win elevates CSU’s record to 8-2 as they gear up for their final nonconference matchup before entering the Mountain West Conference.
Despite a sluggish start, the Rams showcased their defensive prowess, limiting Dartmouth to the fewest points scored against them this season. The game saw CSU struggle initially but regrouped effectively to dominate the second half. First-year head coach Ali Farokhmanesh attributed their first-half challenges to an emotional win against Colorado just days prior. “It’s human nature to feel the aftereffects of such a game,” he stated. “I’m glad we got the win by a good margin and responded well.”
Leading the charge for the Rams was Brandon Rechsteiner, who netted 14 points in the first half alone. Other notable performances included Kyle Jorgensen with 12 points, Jevin Muniz with 11 points, and both Josh Pascarelli and Jase Butler contributing 10 points each. The Rams’ impressive depth was evident as all 12 players who took the court managed to score.
The first half began tightly contested, but two back-to-back three-pointers from Rechsteiner shifted momentum, turning an 8-6 deficit into a 12-8 lead. CSU’s largest advantage in the first half reached 11 points before Dartmouth closed the gap to five just before halftime. However, a late surge from the Rams, including a buzzer-beater from Rechsteiner, secured a nine-point lead at the break, 33-24.
In the second half, Dartmouth made an early push, narrowing the score to 35-31, but CSU responded with an explosive 14-3 run to extend their lead to 49-34. The Rams maintained control, culminating in their largest lead of the game at 74-50 with just 1:31 left on the clock.
Despite the victory, players acknowledge the need for improvement on defense. Jace Butler remarked, “We didn’t defend the way we could have. It’s better to learn while winning, but we need to step up as conference play approaches.”
The Rams out-rebounded Dartmouth 25-23 and had a slight edge in assists 13-12. Both teams struggled at the free-throw line, with CSU converting all three opportunities while Dartmouth managed just 4-of-8.
Looking ahead, CSU will face Northern New Mexico this Sunday at 1 p.m. in their final nonconference game before kicking off Mountain West play on December 20 at Utah State.
This latest victory marks a significant milestone for the Rams as they continue their pursuit of excellence on the court. Fans eagerly anticipate their next matchup as the momentum builds for a promising season ahead.