Colorado State built an 18-point first-half lead and made it hold with some late free throws and key baskets to defeat host Wyoming, 68-59, in the Border War finale Saturday afternoon in Laramie. With the win, the Rams improved to 14-4 and 11-3 in Mountain West action, while the Cowboys fell to 10-9 and 4-8 in league play.
Colorado State got off to a strong start on both ends of the floor, using smart offense and stingy defense to take an early lead and build it to as many as 18 at 37-19 with 3:52 left in the first half. However, Wyoming, as in a typical rivalry game, scrapped back with a 10-2 run to close the first half and cut the Rams lead to 39-29 at halftime. Part of CSU's first-half success came from good ball movement that resulted in hitting 55.2 percent (16-of-29) of its shots from the floor, including 13-of-18 on two pointers.
Wyoming kept chipping away at the Rams lead, eventually cutting it down to just one at 60-59 with 2:27 to play, as the Rams went more than eight minutes without a made field goal. Forward David Roddy connected on a pair of free throws and then made a driving layup to push it back to 64-59, as CSU scored the final eight points of the game to seal the win.
Colorado State finished at 51.1 percent (23-of-45) from the floor but just 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from the three-point line. Wyoming ended at 38.9 percent (21-of-54) on field goals, including 23.1 percent (6-of-26) on threes. CSU won the battle of the boards, 39-25, and went 76.0 percent (19-of-25) at the charity stripe.
The Rams had three in double figures, led by Roddy with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Isaiah Stevens had 14 points and guard John Tonje finished with 10. Wyoming had two in double figures, as Graham Ike and Drake Jeffries each had 13.
STAT OF THE GAME
• CSU went 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 2:03 of the game to earn the win.
NOTES
• The longest running series for CSU and between two Mountain West foes, the Rams trail in the overall margin 137-98, including 117-71 in conference action.
• The Cowboys have a 76-42 advantage in Laramie, but CSU has gone 14-9 against Wyoming in the last 10 years, including winning five of the last six on the road.
• CSU leader Niko Medved has an 5-3 record against Wyoming as a head coach and is now 46-36 in his three years at CSU.
• The Rams won their third straight Mountain West road game since 2016-17 when CSU won five in a row as part of a 24-12 season.
• Colorado State is now 11-1 overall (9-1 MW) when shooting better than 45 percent from the field and 12-0 (9-0 MW) when leading with five minutes to play.
• The Rams are now 8-0 this season when Roddy has at least 10 rebounds.
• Roddy recorded his seventh double-double of the year and ninth of his career, moving him into a tie for 21st on CSU's career list.
• Tonje's 10 points were the seventh double-digit scoring game of the year for the sophomore after having just one his freshman season.
NEXT UP
• The Rams return to home for a pair of key Mountain West games on national television, hosting New Mexico Feb. 9 and 11.
• Tuesday's game will tip at 9 p.m. on FS1 with Lane Grindle and former CSU head coach Tim Miles on the call. Thursday night will be a 6 p.m. MT tip on CBS Sports Network, with Rich Waltz and former Gonzaga standout and NBA player Dan Dickau handling the broadcast.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth and Adam Nigon on the call. CSU Sports Network broadcasts can be also accessed on mobile devices through the TuneIn app (free on all Apple, Android, Windows, Blackberry and Amazon Kindle devices) – once downloaded, search "Colorado St. Rams Sports Network" in the app for the games and coaches' show broadcasts.
