Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021
CONTACT: John A. Martin, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications
(540) 476-1259 | John.A.Martin@colostate.edu
ONLINE: http://csura.ms/2MGRJ62
CSU MBB Recap: Rams Win Another Nailbiter, Defeat UNLV 83-80
Isaiah Stevens 3 put CSU up for good, then sealed it with a pair of free throws
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – In an instant classic Mountain West Conference game, Colorado State again made the plays they needed in the final minute to earn an 83-80 win over UNLV Saturday afternoon in Moby Arena. With the win, the Rams improved to 8-2 and 5-1 in the Mountain West, while the Runnin’ Rebels are now 1-6 and 0-2 in the league.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Rams entered halftime with a 39-36 advantage. UNLV got the first four points of the second half to take the lead, as the battle continued in the second half, with teams exchanging 18 leads and tied 12 times in the contest. Tied at 78 in the final minute, sophomore David Roddy made a key block on Bryce Hamilton’s 3 attempt with 41 seconds remaining.
Then next possession off the screen, sophomore Isaiah Stevens canned a three from the top of the key to put the Rams up 81-78 with 26 ticks to go. A two by UNLV cut it to a one-point game, but Stevens was fouled and drained both free throws and the final attempt fell off and into Kendle Moore’s hands as CSU earned the hard-fought win.
Colorado State finished the game 53.7 percent (29-of-54) from the field, including a stellar 55.2 percent (16-of-29) on threes, while UNLV was 50.8 percent (31-of-61) from the floor but limited to 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from the arc. UNLV won the boards, 34-24, but was only able to outscore the Rams 11-9 in second chance points.
CSU was led by Stevens’ 22 points, including a career-best six three-pointers, with eight assists and five rebounds while Roddy came off the bench for 18 points, five rebounds and six assists. In his first collegiate start, sophomore John Tonje tied a career high with 15 points. UNLV was led by David Jenkins, Jr. with 29 points, while Bryce Hamilton had 28.
STAT OF THE GAME
• The 16 3-pointers for CSU are tied for the second most ever for the Rams in Moby Arena and tied for third most by CSU in program history.
NOTES
• Throughout the years, UNLV has controlled this series, leading overall 41-19, but just 30-18 in conference action and 16-14 in Fort Collins.
• CSU leader Niko Medved has a 3-3 record against UNLV as a head coach.
• The 5-1 start in Mountain West play matches the best start in modern CSU history in either the Western Athletic Conference (1988-89 and 1989-90) and MW (never).
• CSU is 30-6 overall (18-3 MW) under Medved when up at the break.
• This was CSU’s eight consecutive win at Moby Arena.
• Roddy’s six assists are a career best.
NEXT UP
• The Rams return go back on the road to take on San Jose State in Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 14 & 16.
• The games will be streamed on the MW Network.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth on the call.
• CSU Sports Network broadcasts can be also accessed on mobile devices through the TuneIn app (free on all Apple, Android, Windows, Blackberry and Amazon Kindle devices) – once downloaded, search “Colorado St. Rams Sports Network” in the app for the games and coaches’ show broadcasts.
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540.476.1259 (C) | john.a.martin@colostate.edu
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