CSU Uses School Record 20 Threes To Propel To A 95-81 Win Over Creighton In Paradise Jam Semis

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SAINT THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – Colorado State drained a school and U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam record 20 three-pointers and advanced to the finals of the tournament with a 95-81 victory over Creighton Sunday night. With the victory, the Rams improved to 5-0 on the season, while the Bluejays of the Big East Conference fell to 4-1 with their first loss on the year.

The Rams led for the majority of the first half after junior David Roddy connected on a three-pointer to give CSU a 3-1 lead in the opening minute. CSU had as much as a seven-point lead in the opening 20 minutes but 9-2 Creighton run knotted the game at 33 with 1:43 remaining in the first. Colorado State then used a pair of triples from junior Dischon Thomas and a three at the intermission buzzer from Roddy to finish off a 9-3 run to end the half and give CSU a 42-36 lead at the break.

The second half with another three from Thomas, but the Bluejays went on a 14-2 run over less than three minutes to retake the lead at 50-47 with 16:36 remaining. After each team put two more on the board, the Rams took the lead for good on a three-pointer from freshman Jalen Lake in the right corner. CU answered with a basket, but the long distance shooting continued to stay hot for the Rams, as junior Isaiah Stevens and David Roddy hit on back-to-back possessions to spur a 17-4 run over 3:20 to make it a 72-58 CSU advantage midway through the final 20. CSU maintained a double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the half, building it to as much as 18 on a Roddy dunk in the final two minutes before the final 14-point margin.

Colorado State finished at 53.0 percent (35-of-66) from the floor overall but an even more staggering 56.8 percent (20-of-34) behind the three-point arc. Creighton was 55.0 percent (33-of-60) from the field, but just 31.8 percent (7-of-22) on threes. The Bluejays won the battle of the boards, 37-26, but CSU went plus-four on turnovers (13-9) and turned that into a 14-8 advantage.

Roddy finished with his second consecutive game with a career high, finishing with 36 points, including a career-best seven three pointers, along with three rebounds and three assists. Thomas also had career highs of 21 points and five three-pointers made. Junior Isaiah Stevens handled the ball effectively with a double-double of 17 points, 11 assists and no turnovers. Creighton had four in double figures, led by Arthur Kaluma with 16 points.

STAT OF THE GAME
• The 20 three-pointers made surpassed the previous record of 19 set Jan. 15, 2020 against New Mexico and also broke the Paradise Jam record of 17, previously held by Hofstra against South Carolina on Nov. 22, 2015.

NOTES
• The Rams improved to 2-3 overall against Creighton and 3-4 against current Big East Conference members.
• Head coach Niko Medved improved to 1-1 against current Big East Conference schools.
• CSU is 5-0 for the first time since 2015-16 when the team finished 18-16 overall.
• The Rams moved to the championship game of a true three-game tournament for the first time since 2014-15, when CSU won the GCI Great Alaska Shootout.
• Roddy's 36 points tied for 11^th most in school history for a single game and are the most points by a Ram since Gian Clavell tallied 37 in a win at San Diego State on Jan. 28, 2017. It was also tied for the sixth most ever in a Paradise Jam game.
• CSU is now 32-4 when scoring 80+ under Medved
• After not having had a 30-point scorer in his first three years, Medved has now had three 30+ point games this year.

• Stevens' double-double was the four points-assist effort in his career and 19^th in school history. He ranks second in that form of double-double and the 11 assists was one off his career high
• Roddy's seven three-pointers made are tied for the eighth most in school history and the most ever made on a neutral floor.

NEXT UP
• The Rams advance to Monday's championship game at 9 p.m. AT (6 pm MT) against Northeastern.
• 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.

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