UPDATE: The CSU Rams faced their first loss of the season, falling to the Denver Pioneers in a nail-biting finish, 83-81, at Moby Arena on November 10, 2023. Despite a late-game surge, the Rams were unable to secure a victory as Josh Pascarelli’s last-second three-pointer missed its mark.
The Rams struggled with their shooting, hitting just 79.5% from the free-throw line and 44.4% from beyond the arc. This defeat drops their record to 4-1 for the season, raising questions about their performance as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
Trailing by 41-33 at halftime, the Rams quickly rallied in the second half, launching a 12-2 run that tied the game at 45 with 15:36 remaining. However, as the teams traded leads, the Pioneers regained control, establishing a 61-56 advantage with just under ten minutes left.
The Rams had multiple opportunities to close the gap, getting within one point at 80-79 after a pair of free throws from Carey Booth with 43 seconds remaining. Yet, a crucial missed layup by Jevin Muniz after a blocked shot by Booth thwarted their chance to take the lead.
With the score at 83-81, CSU called a timeout with only 2.3 seconds left on the clock. Unfortunately for the Rams, Pascarelli’s attempt to hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer fell short, sealing their fate.
Kyle Jorgensen emerged as the standout player for CSU, scoring 29 points, marking his third career high in just five games this season. Booth followed closely with 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Brandon Rechsteiner contributed 11 points.
The game began positively for the Rams, who took an early lead at 19-11. However, the Pioneers quickly clawed back, taking their first lead at 21-20 and maintaining pressure until the end of the first half, where they led 41-33.
Looking ahead, the Rams will be back in action on November 15, 2023, facing off against Virginia Tech in the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Fans will be eager to see how the team rebounds from this heartbreaking loss.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on CSU to see if they can bounce back and reclaim their winning momentum.
