UPDATE: The Colorado State Rams have just secured a decisive victory over Dartmouth, winning 76-55 at Moby Arena on December 19, 2023. This marks CSU’s fourth consecutive win, elevating their season record to 8-2 with only one nonconference game remaining before they dive into the Mountain West Conference schedule.
Despite a sluggish start, the Rams showcased their resilience, overcoming an early deficit. Head coach Ali Farokhmanesh noted that the team’s emotional victory against Colorado just days prior affected their performance. “After you have an emotional game like that… it’s hard to get ready for the next one,” Farokhmanesh said. However, he expressed satisfaction with the team’s second-half performance.
In a standout performance, Brandon Rechsteiner led the Rams with 14 points, all scored in the first half. Other key contributors included Kyle Jorgensen with 12 points, Jevin Muniz with 11 points, and both Josh Pascarelli and Jase Butler adding 10 points each. Notably, all 12 Rams who played scored at least two points, demonstrating the team’s depth.
The contest began tightly, with the teams trading leads. Rechsteiner’s consecutive three-pointers turned an early deficit into a 12-8 advantage for CSU. By halftime, the Rams had established a 33-24 lead, spurred by a buzzer-beater from Rechsteiner.
In the second half, Dartmouth briefly narrowed the gap to 35-31, but CSU responded with a powerful 14-3 run, extending their lead to 49-34 with just under 11 minutes remaining. The Rams continued to dominate, reaching their largest lead of the game at 74-50 with just over a minute left to play.
Defensively, CSU held Dartmouth to only 40% shooting and forced 15 turnovers. However, players like Jace Butler acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing that their defensive performance must elevate as conference play approaches. “We didn’t defend the way we could. It’s better to learn that way,” Butler stated.
The Rams will face Northern New Mexico in their final nonconference game this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Moby Arena, before kicking off Mountain West action on December 20 against Utah State. Fans and supporters can anticipate an electrifying atmosphere as CSU prepares for crucial upcoming matchups.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Rams continue their journey through the season, aiming for success in the competitive Mountain West Conference.
