Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Utah
Utes pull away late for win over Rams
1/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2009
By John Manuszak
Athletic Media Relations
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Andy Ogide posted a double-double and Harvey Perry added a career-high 15 points, but it wasn’t enough to knock off Utah as the Rams fell, 82-66, before 10,235 fans at the Huntsman Center.
Colorado State, playing in one of the toughest environments in the Mountain West, hung right with the Utes until midway through the second half when the Utes took control.
CSU (6-12, 1-3 MWC) was within five points (55-50) with 12 minutes remaining in the game before a quick 5-0 Utes run gave them a 10-point lead and control of the game. An 8-0 Utah run, punctuated by a Tyler Kepkay jumper with 2:01 remaining, sealed the win for the Utes (12-6, 3-1 MWC).
“I think this was a closer game than the score showed,” said Head Coach Tim Miles. “I think we are improving and we have a better purpose on offense and we are a little better defensively. We made enough mistakes down the stretch not to come back and that’s frustrating. We just didn’t make shots in the second half and they did, and that was the difference.”
Ogide was solid for the third straight game as he posted his fourth double-double of the season with 19 points on 8-15 shooting and 10 rebounds. Ogide, who was matched up with all-conference 7-foot center Luke Nevill, has averaged 16.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in his last three outings. Perry set career highs in points (15) and rebounds (8) while also connecting on 4-6 shots from three-point range.
“I thought Andy made great adjustments against Nevill,” said Miles. “He struggled early and then found his niche and really got going before he hit foul trouble. I think Andy can score on anyone in this league when he is on and he did that tonight.”
Nevill tallied 19 points and seven rebounds for Utah while Lawrence Borha led the way for the Utes with 20 points, including a perfect 3-3 from three-point range.
Jesse Carr opened the game’s scoring with a three-pointer but Utah answered with the next 12 to take a commanding 12-3 lead just 4:30 into the game. The Utes would maintain at least an eight-point lead until back-to-back three-pointers by Marcus Walker and Perry cut Utah’s lead to 23-18. Walker scored six of the next eight points for the Rams before Ogide went to work. The sophomore scored eight straight points for the Rams, including back-to-back baskets on Nevill. Ogide’s third basket gave the Rams their first lead since the game’s opening minutes at 32-30. A free throw by Mame Bocar Ba in the final seconds of the first half brought the Rams back even at 35 at halftime.
The Rams will return home to Moby Arena on Tuesday night to take on the Air Force Falcons (9-8, 0-4 MWC) at 8 p.m. The game will be shown live on The Mtn. At halftime of the game, Colorado State will honor Head Football Coach Steve Fairchild and the Rams football team for their successful season. The Rams finished 7-6, including a dramatic 40-35 win over Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl.
Tickets for all CSU home games are available by calling 1-800/491-RAMS, or logging onto CSURams.com.
