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The Colorado State Rams improved to 1-0 on the season with a 64-61 win over the New Mexico State Aggies on Sunday afternoon in Moby Arena. The win improves the Rams to 5-0 in season openers under Head Coach Larry Eustachy, and 5-1 all time against New Mexico State.
The Rams, who trailed almost the entirety of the first half, emerged from the break playing much more physical basketball, leading for all but four minutes of the second half. Despite the Rams holding a 10-point lead with just 3:29 remaining, the game came down to a last-second three by the Aggies, which struck off the back iron as the clock expired.
Five Rams made their Division I debuts on Sunday, including sophomore forward Braden Koelliker who led the Rams with 21 points and nine rebounds in a team-high 36 minutes. Junior forward Che Bob scored 11 points and pulled in eight boards, and freshman guard Anthony Bonner made the Rams’ lone three-point basket of the day. Junior guard Devocio Butler recorded four points, five rebounds and an assist, and freshman center logged two points and two boards.
Despite shooting just 33.3% (19-57) from the floor in the game, including 1-of-14 from deep, the Rams’ ability to get to the free throw line and convert ultimately fueled them past the Aggies. Colorado State made 25-of-31 free throws, compared to 11-of-14 from New Mexico State. As is signature of the Rams under Eustachy, Colorado State outrebounded the Aggies 47-35 including 20 offensive boards which resulted in a 16-2 advantage in second-chance points.
