Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
San Diego State
Aztecs too much for Rams at Moby
1/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 31, 2009
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By John Manuszak
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – San Diego State’s Lorrenzo Wade played the role of spoiler on Saturday night at Moby Arena.
The senior forward scored 14 of his season-high 25 points in the second half to lead the Aztecs to a 78-59 win over Colorado State, which celebrated the return of guards Marcus Walker and Harvey Perry, as well as nearly 50 Rams Legends who made their way back to Fort Collins for Saturday’s game.
The Aztecs scored 43 points on 62 percent shooting in the second half, and used a 13-0 run midway through the period to take a 23-point lead with 7 minutes remaining as they cruised to the win. The Rams (7-15, 2-6 MWC), who trailed by 11 at halftime, could never get any closer than eight points in the second half.
“At the end of the day when you look at us tonight, I was extremely disappointed with our energy and passion,” said Head Coach Tim Miles. “I don't know if we were thinking too much, but we did not play with the energy we needed tonight. I was disappointed. It was a special weekend. It was a time to come through for our excellent basketball tradition.”
Headlining the Rams Legends was former player and Head Coach Boyd Grant, as well as CSU’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder Pat Durham. Unfortunately for the Legends and the 4,009 fans in attendance, San Diego State was just too strong. The Aztecs forced the Rams into a season-high tying 20 turnovers and scored 31 points off of those turnovers.
The Rams, winners of two straight home games entering Saturday’s game, hung around with the Aztecs (15-5, 5-2 MWC), who sit in a tie for first place in the Mountain West, for much of the first half until a 5-0 run gave the Aztecs a 26-15 lead with 6 minutes remaining in the first half.
Willis Gardner posted 12 points, three rebounds and three assists while Perry added all 10 of his points in the second half. Perry and Walker (12 points) returned for the Rams after missing the past three games while fulfilling academic requirements.
“I think it (adding Perry and Walker) changed our rotations and it changed our rhythm,” said Miles. “It's unfortunate that this has altered our lineup, but I think that they are good enough to work back into the rhythm.”
Wade, who is now averaging nearly 21 points per game in four conference games, led four Aztecs in double figures as Kyle Spain (15 points), D.J. Gay (10 points) and Billy White (10 points) all scored in double digits.
Colorado State will have a full week off before opening the second half of Mountain West play on Feb. 7 against TCU. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MST at Moby Arena.
