Colorado State University (CSU) triumphed over Dartmouth with a decisive score of 76-55 on December 5, 2023, marking the Rams’ fourth consecutive victory. The game, held at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, showcased the Rams’ ability to rebound from a slow start and solidify their record to 8-2 this season.
CSU, known for its prowess in 3-point shooting, managed only seven successful attempts from beyond the arc out of 18 tries. Nevertheless, the team’s defense effectively limited Dartmouth’s scoring, holding the Big Green to their lowest point total of the season. First-year head coach Ali Farokhmanesh acknowledged the challenges the team faced early in the game, partly due to the emotional toll of their recent win against Colorado.
Farokhmanesh stated, “That’s human nature that after you have an emotional game like that… it’s hard to get ready for the next one. I’m glad we got the win, and we won by a good margin.” The Rams entered halftime with a solid nine-point lead, thanks to a strong second-half performance.
Brandon Rechsteiner led the scoring for CSU with 14 points, all scored in the first half. Other notable contributions came from Kyle Jorgensen with 12 points, Jevin Muniz with 11 points, and both Josh Pascarelli and Jase Butler, who added 10 points each. Despite being a key player in recent games, Pascarelli struggled against Dartmouth, managing only two attempts from three-point range, both of which were successful in the second half.
The initial minutes of the game saw a tightly contested score, with the teams trading baskets. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Rechsteiner shifted the momentum, turning an 8-6 deficit into a 12-8 lead for the Rams. CSU’s largest lead of the first half reached 11 points after a jumper from Rechsteiner extended the score to 25-14.
Dartmouth fought back, narrowing the gap to five points with just over a minute remaining in the first half. However, a late layup by Jorgensen and a buzzer-beater layup from Rechsteiner allowed CSU to finish the half with a 33-24 advantage.
Strong Second Half Performance
The second half began with Dartmouth cutting the lead to 35-31, but CSU quickly responded with a 14-3 run, pushing the score to 49-34 with 10:46 left in the game. The Rams continued to dominate, eventually reaching their largest lead of the game at 74-50 in the final moments.
CSU’s defensive efforts proved effective, holding Dartmouth to 40% shooting and forcing 15 turnovers. Despite these successes, the Rams acknowledged areas for improvement. Jace Butler noted, “I felt like we didn’t defend the way we could. We still won the game, so it was better to learn that way.” The focus on defense will be crucial as CSU prepares for the upcoming Mountain West Conference play.
The Rams also showcased their depth, with all 12 players contributing to the score. The team out-rebounded Dartmouth 25-23 and had a slight edge in assists, finishing with 13 to Dartmouth’s 12.
As the non-conference season draws to a close, CSU will host Northern New Mexico on December 10, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Moby Arena. The Rams will then kick off their Mountain West Conference campaign against Utah State on December 20, 2023, aiming to continue their winning streak.
