Colorado State University (CSU) concluded its nonconference basketball schedule with a commanding victory over Northern New Mexico, defeating the Eagles 104-54 on December 3, 2023, at Moby Arena in Fort Collins. The Rams showcased their strength throughout the game, improving their season record to 9-2 as they prepare for their Mountain West Conference opener against Utah State on December 9.
CSU maintained control from the opening whistle, quickly establishing a lead that they never relinquished. The Rams raced out to an early 9-0 advantage and extended their lead to 16-4 within the first five minutes of play. A three-pointer by Brandon Rechsteiner pushed the lead to 39-19 with 6:54 left in the first half, and CSU outscored the Eagles 21-7 for the remainder of the period, entering halftime with a decisive 60-26 lead.
The offensive performance was particularly impressive, with CSU shooting an astonishing 67.6% from the field compared to Northern New Mexico’s 32.1%. Rechsteiner led the scoring in the first half with 12 points, contributing significantly to the Rams’ total.
Balanced Attack and Bench Contribution
Despite the absence of key players Rashaan Mbemba and Kyle Jorgensen, CSU’s depth shone through. The Rams scored 48 points in the paint and made 11 three-pointers, demonstrating a balanced offensive attack. Ten players contributed at least five points, with Darnez Slater leading the team with 17. Other notable performances included Jon Mekonnen with 13 points and Rechsteiner and Nikola Djapa each adding 12.
CSU’s head coach, Ali Farokhmanesh, acknowledged the challenge of facing a smaller opponent but praised his team’s ability to adapt. He remarked, “These games sometimes can be really hard because of the way they’re played…it’s just us versus ourselves.”
In the second half, CSU maintained its momentum, opening with a 7-2 run that established their largest lead of the game at 67-28. Although the Rams’ shooting percentage dipped to 53.6% in the second half, they effectively kept Northern New Mexico at bay. The closest the Eagles managed to come was within 29 points at 78-49 with just over seven minutes remaining. CSU ended the game on a strong note, outscoring their opponents 26-5 in the final minutes.
Looking Ahead to Conference Play
CSU’s ability to engage its entire roster proved vital as they prepare for the rigors of conference play. According to Farokhmanesh, “It’s going to happen down the road, especially when we are playing 20 conference games.” He emphasized the necessity for every player to be ready to contribute, especially with the demanding schedule ahead.
The Rams dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle 40-28, and recorded 24 assists compared to 11 for Northern New Mexico. With their next challenge set for noon on December 9 against Utah State, CSU will look to build on this momentum as they enter a critical phase of their season.
