Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Montana
Men's basketball opens season with loss to Grizzlies
11/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MISSOULA, Mont. - The Grizzlies spoiled the debut of Colorado State Head Coach Tim Miles as they defeated the Rams 75-39 in the regular-season opener Friday night. Willis Gardner played the first 40-minute game for the Rams since 2005, scoring 10 points and pulling down seven boards. Stuart Creason notched 10 points and four rebounds for the Rams.
The Grizzlies opened the game making their first four shots, all from three-point range, with a pair of free throws for the 15-8 lead. The Rams were able to pull within four points at 21-17 with just over four minutes to go in the first. Montana returned fire and extended the lead nine points with 1:26 in the first. Creason finished the half hitting a pair of free throws, pulling the Rams to within seven points, 26-19.
Out of the half, the Grizzlies extended their lead by 10 points in the first eight minutes. Colorado State hit a scoring drought in the last eight minutes of the game as the Grizzlies scored 17-straight points to end the game. The Rams missed all seven shots from the field in the final 8:33 of the game. Montana, by contrast, was 7-of-13 from the field during the same period.
The Rams shot 34 percent from the field and missed all 10 shots from beyond the arc. Montana hit 10 three-pointers on 47.6 percent shooting. Overall, the Grizzlies shot 48.1 percent.
Gardner becomes the first player since Michael Morris on Nov. 19, 2005, to play a complete game. He is the first Ram in two decades to play all 40 minutes in his Colorado State debut. Gardner pulled down seven rebounds, and was a perfect 2-of-2 from the line with two assists. Marcus Walker scored nine points and pulled down three rebounds. Josh Simmons opened his career with the Rams with six points and two rebounds. CSU was outrebounded 37-25. The Montana bench scored 19 points while the Rams reserves earned four points.
The Rams will have six-day layoff before traveling to Fairbanks, Alaska, for the BP Top of the World Classic. CSU opens the tournament on Thursday with Oregon State.
