Colorado State University Athletics
GAME NOTES: CSU opens the 2007-08 season with Montana
11/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 7, 2007
Complete Release in PDF Format 
GAME NO. 1 COLORADO STATE (0-0/0-0) vs. Montana (0-0/0-0) Friday, Nov. 9, 2007 | Missoula, Mont. | Dahlberg Arena | 7:00 p.m. MT
THE MATCHUP Colorado State kicks off the 2007-08 regular season on the road against the Montana Grizzles. The Rams are a very different team than the 17-13 squad of a year ago. CSU boasts just one returning starter who will mix with a young group of up and coming players. Senior Stuart Creason will lead the way this season.
ABOUT MONTANA The Grizzles of Montana finished the 2006-07 season with a 17-15 overall record with a 10-6 record in the Big Sky Conference good enough for a third-place finish. Montana returns a trio of starters led by senior Andrew Strait. Jordan Hasquet and Cameron Rundles each return to their starting spots as well. Strait led the team in points, rebounds and blocks last season.
Series with Montana Colorado State and Montana have met 28 times in the history of the series. The Rams hold a 16-12 advantage though the Grizzles are 9-5 when they host the game. The last meeting came during the 1988-89 season. Current Grizzlies Head Coach Wayne Tinkle was the leading scorer for Montana with 23 points in the CSU 68-66 overtime win.
Memorable Series Moment During that 1988-89 season Montana's K.C. McGowan hit one of two free throws with no time remaining to send the game into overtime. Future NBA player Pat Durham (18 points, 12 rebounds) then took over for the Rams by scoring CSU's first four overtime points. It was over when, CSU's Joel Tribelhorn (23 points) hit a three-pointer with two minutes left to put the Rams up 62-60. The Rams would never surrender the lead again on the way to the 68-66 victory.
Exhibition vs. Regis The fans got their first taste of basketball in the Tim Miles era Thursday night as the Rams men's basketball team defeated Regis 81-75 before a crowd of 2,174. Stuart Creason showed his leadership, scoring 24 points with 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Willis Gardner scored 18 points in his debut for the Rams, pulling down four boards and assisting on four plays. Josh Simmons scored 16 points including eight points from the line. He also had six rebounds and four assists. The Rams shot 50 free throws making 31 of them. Andre McFarland scored nine points and finished with four rebounds. He was a perfect 5-of-5 from the line.
Exhibition vs. Chadron State Colorado State men's basketball wrapped up the exhibition season, thumping Chadron State 107-76 Saturday evening in Moby Arena. Stuart Creason scored 20 points and pulled down six boards. Newcomer Andre McFarland got into the action with a game-high 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field. As a team the Rams shot 72.7 percent from the field in the second half. CSU put five players in double-figures. Joining Creason, McFarland and Walker were Simmons with 21 and Flynn Clayman with 10. The leading rebounder for CSU was Gardner with seven boards. The Rams held the rebounding advantage 35-30 with 11 offensive rebounds.
