Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, November 19
St. Thomas, USVI / University of the Virgin Islands Sports & Fitness Center
11:00 AM
Colorado State
66
vs
60
Bradley
David Roddy had 23 of his career-high 30 points in the second half.
Rams Rally For 66-60 Win Over Bradley In Paradise Jam Opening Round
11/19/2021 5:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Junior David Roddy's career-high 30 points lifts CSU to a semifinal matchup with Creighton
SAINT THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – After a slow offensive start in the first half, Colorado State found a better rhythm offensively in the final 20 minutes and rallied for a 66-60 win in the opening round of the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Friday afternoon. With the victory, the Rams improved to 4-0 on the season, while the Braves slipped to 1-3 overall.
This was a tight game throughout, as neither team led by more than eight the entire way through in this very physical battle. CSU shot just 24.0 percent (6-of-25) from the floor in the first half as the two teams were tied at 18 before a 9-3 closing run gave Bradley a 27-21 halftime lead.
The second half started with the Rams working the ball inside to junior David Roddy, as he scored the first two baskets to cut the margin to two. The teams then exchanged baskets that put Bradley up 37-32 at the first media timeout. From there Roddy scored six of the next eight points in an 8-0 run that put CSU up for good at 40-37 with 12:10 remaining. The Braves got within a single point on two other occasions, but a 9-2 run over 2:00 gave CSU its biggest lead of the game at 52-44 with eight minutes to go. While it got down to a single possession several times in the final minutes, each time CSU came up with a bucket and a stop to get the win as part of shooting 57.7 percent (15-of-26) in the final period.
Colorado State finished at 41.2 percent (21-of-51) from the floor for the game but just 26.3 percent (5-of-19) behind the arc. Bradley was held to just 39.1 percent (25-of-64) from the field and 25.0 percent (6-of-24) on threes. Bradley did win the board battle, 40-34, but CSU got to the charity stripe more and made it count, outscoring the Braves there 19-4.
Roddy finished with a career-high 30 points, 23 of those coming in the second half, along with a game-high nine rebounds. Junior John Tonje came off the bench with 13 points, while junior Dischon Thomas added 11 points and six rebounds, including three key offensive rebounds in the final minutes. Bradley also had three in double figures, led by Terry Roberts with 24.
STAT OF THE GAME
• After just having two points in the paint in the first half, the Rams got the ball inside effectively in the second half, tallying 22 points in the lane.
NOTES
• This was the first-ever meeting between CSU and Bradley, while head coach Niko Medved improved to 3-1 in his career against the Braves.
• This was just CSU's fourth win in 31 games when scoring less than 70 points under Medved, but its 34th win in 43 times when holding an opponent under 70.
• The Rams are now 48-20 under Medved when shooting more free throws than the opponent and
• Junior Isaiah Stevens handed out a team season-best seven assists in the win.
NEXT UP
• The Rams advance to Sunday's semifinal against Creighton at 6:45 p.m. AT (3:45 pm MT).
• The game will be televised on ESPN+ and ESPN3 nationally with Brad Wells and Kevin Lehman on the call.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Matt Wozniak and Adam Nigon handling the broadcast.
• CSU Sports Network broadcasts can be also accessed on mobile devices through the Varsity Network app (free on all Apple and Android devices). Fans can use the app for instant access to free gameday audio streams and receive push notifications to remind them of games starting or upcoming audio broadcasts.
This was a tight game throughout, as neither team led by more than eight the entire way through in this very physical battle. CSU shot just 24.0 percent (6-of-25) from the floor in the first half as the two teams were tied at 18 before a 9-3 closing run gave Bradley a 27-21 halftime lead.
The second half started with the Rams working the ball inside to junior David Roddy, as he scored the first two baskets to cut the margin to two. The teams then exchanged baskets that put Bradley up 37-32 at the first media timeout. From there Roddy scored six of the next eight points in an 8-0 run that put CSU up for good at 40-37 with 12:10 remaining. The Braves got within a single point on two other occasions, but a 9-2 run over 2:00 gave CSU its biggest lead of the game at 52-44 with eight minutes to go. While it got down to a single possession several times in the final minutes, each time CSU came up with a bucket and a stop to get the win as part of shooting 57.7 percent (15-of-26) in the final period.
Colorado State finished at 41.2 percent (21-of-51) from the floor for the game but just 26.3 percent (5-of-19) behind the arc. Bradley was held to just 39.1 percent (25-of-64) from the field and 25.0 percent (6-of-24) on threes. Bradley did win the board battle, 40-34, but CSU got to the charity stripe more and made it count, outscoring the Braves there 19-4.
Roddy finished with a career-high 30 points, 23 of those coming in the second half, along with a game-high nine rebounds. Junior John Tonje came off the bench with 13 points, while junior Dischon Thomas added 11 points and six rebounds, including three key offensive rebounds in the final minutes. Bradley also had three in double figures, led by Terry Roberts with 24.
STAT OF THE GAME
• After just having two points in the paint in the first half, the Rams got the ball inside effectively in the second half, tallying 22 points in the lane.
NOTES
• This was the first-ever meeting between CSU and Bradley, while head coach Niko Medved improved to 3-1 in his career against the Braves.
• This was just CSU's fourth win in 31 games when scoring less than 70 points under Medved, but its 34th win in 43 times when holding an opponent under 70.
• The Rams are now 48-20 under Medved when shooting more free throws than the opponent and
• Junior Isaiah Stevens handed out a team season-best seven assists in the win.
NEXT UP
• The Rams advance to Sunday's semifinal against Creighton at 6:45 p.m. AT (3:45 pm MT).
• The game will be televised on ESPN+ and ESPN3 nationally with Brad Wells and Kevin Lehman on the call.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Matt Wozniak and Adam Nigon handling the broadcast.
• CSU Sports Network broadcasts can be also accessed on mobile devices through the Varsity Network app (free on all Apple and Android devices). Fans can use the app for instant access to free gameday audio streams and receive push notifications to remind them of games starting or upcoming audio broadcasts.
Players Mentioned
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