UPDATE: The CSU Rams have suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Denver Pioneers 83-81 in a nail-biting finish at Moby Arena on November 10, 2023. Despite a strong performance, the Rams were unable to secure the win in the closing seconds, marking an emotional setback for the team.
CSU struggled with shooting, hitting only 79.5% from the free-throw line and 44.4% from beyond the arc. The game concluded dramatically with a missed 3-pointer by Josh Pascarelli at the buzzer, leaving the Rams with a season record of 4-1.
Trailing 41-33 at halftime, the Rams made a strong push at the start of the second half. They launched a 12-2 run, tying the game at 45 with 15:36 left to play, bolstered by a crucial 3-pointer from Kyle Jorgensen.
The lead exchanged hands several times in a tense second half. The Pioneers seized control with a 61-56 lead after scoring six consecutive field goals, leaving the Rams scoreless for over five minutes. Despite multiple attempts to close the gap, including a late push that brought them within one point at 80-79, CSU could not regain the lead.
With just 43 seconds remaining, the Rams had a chance to pull ahead after a block by Carey Booth, but a missed layup by Jevin Muniz kept them trailing. As the clock wound down, CSU called a timeout with just 2.3 seconds left, setting the stage for Pascarelli’s final shot attempt, which ultimately fell short.
Jorgensen led the Rams with an impressive 29 points, marking his third career-high in just five games this season. Booth contributed with 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Brandon Rechsteiner added 11 points.
The Rams started strong, taking an early lead of 19-11 in the first half but were unable to maintain that momentum as the Pioneers surged back, ending the first half with a three-pointer from Carson Johnson to secure a 41-33 lead.
Next up, CSU will be looking to bounce back as they face Virginia Tech on Wednesday at the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Fans will be eager to see if the Rams can recover from this tight loss and regain their winning form.
