BREAKING: The Colorado State Rams just clinched their fourth consecutive victory, decisively defeating Dartmouth 76-55 at Moby Arena on December 12, 2023. This win propels CSU to an impressive 8-2 record as they prepare for their final game before entering the Mountain West Conference.
After a shaky start, the Rams dominated the second half, showcasing their resilience. First-year head coach Ali Farokhmanesh acknowledged the team’s initial struggles, attributing them to the emotional toll of their previous game against Colorado. However, he expressed satisfaction with how the Rams regrouped, stating, “I’m glad we got the win, and we won by a good margin.”
Leading the charge was Brandon Rechsteiner, who scored 14 points, all in the first half. Key contributions also came from Kyle Jorgensen with 12 points, Jevin Muniz with 11 points, and both Josh Pascarelli and Jase Butler adding 10 points each.
The game began closely contested, with the Rams trailing 8-6 early on. However, back-to-back 3-pointers from Rechsteiner shifted momentum, leading to a 12-8 advantage. CSU extended its lead to as much as 11 points in the first half, but Dartmouth fought back, narrowing the gap to just five points before halftime. A late surge from the Rams, including a buzzer-beater by Rechsteiner, sent them into the locker room with a comfortable 33-24 lead.
In the second half, Dartmouth managed to cut the deficit to 35-31, but CSU responded with a powerful 14-3 run that pushed their lead to 49-34. The Rams maintained control, ultimately achieving their largest lead of the game at 74-50 with just 1:31 remaining.
Defensively, CSU held Dartmouth to just 40% shooting and forced 15 turnovers, though players like Jace Butler noted areas for improvement, emphasizing the need for stronger defensive performance as conference play approaches.
With a rebounding edge of 25-23 and shooting 61.1% from the field, the Rams displayed their offensive versatility. They now look ahead to their final nonconference game against Northern New Mexico on December 17 at 1 p.m. before embarking on Mountain West action starting December 20 against Utah State.
The CSU Rams continue to build momentum, showcasing depth and determination as they aim for success in the upcoming conference games. Fans can expect an exciting matchup this Sunday as the Rams look to extend their winning streak!
