Colorado State University Athletics
Saturday, February 27
Fort Collins, Colo.
2 p.m. MT
Colorado State
15-4,12-3Mounta
72
vs
49
Air Force
5-18,3-16Mounta
1
2
F
Air Force
24
25
49
Colorado State
28
44
72
Photo by: Brandon Randall
CSU Pulls Away In Second Half For 72-49 Win Over Air Force
2/27/2021 4:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – After three weeks away from game action due to opponent COVID issues, Colorado State returned to the floor and used a strong second-half effort on both ends of the floor to earn a 72-49 win over visiting Air Force Saturday afternoon in Moby Arena. With their third straight win and fifth in the last six games, the Rams improved to 15-4 and 12-3 in Mountain West action, while the Falcons slipped to 5-18 and 3-16 in the league.
Colorado State struggled in the early going as they finally played a game after 21 days off, as the Rams were unable to find the basket early. However after starting 0-of-7 from the floor but trailing by no more than six, the home team closed the half on a 13-3 run by hitting 5-of-8 from the floor and led 28-24 at the intermission.
The two teams traded early baskets in the second half before the Rams went on a 8-2 run, keyed off six points by forward David Roddy to push the margin to 39-29 at the first media timeout. Air Force remained resolute in handing with the Rams, trailing by just eight with six minutes to play. However from there, CSU did not allow another Falcon field goal and closed the game out on a 17-2 run to take home the win.
For the game, Colorado State shot a season-high 61.0 percent (25-of-41) from the floor and were 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from the three-point line. Air Force was 41.5 percent (17-of-41) from the field and just 23.8 percent (5-of-21) beyond the arc. CSU took care of the boards, 31-15, and oustcored the visitors 32-24 in the paint.
The Rams were led by Roddy and guard Isaiah Stevens with 19 points each, with Roddy adding eight rebounds. Guard Adam Thistlewood added 14, while guard John Tonje chipped in 11 off the bench. Air Force had three in double figures, led by AJ Walker's 13 points.
STAT OF THE GAME
• The Rams were deadly in the second half, connecting on 73.9 percent (17-of-23) of their shots from the field.
NOTES
• The 12-3 mark in Mountain West play is the best 15-game conference record in program history.
• Colorado State has controlled this series, owning an 83-33 lead, including 58-22 in conference play. At home, CSU has gone 45-11 overall.
• CSU has won 17 of the last 19 meetings between the two schools, with the only losses both coming in 2017-18.
• CSU leader Niko Medved has a 5-0 record against Air Force as a head coach.
• The Rams are 6-4 (4-1 at home) against Joe Scott's led Falcons, dating back to 2000-04 in his first tenure at USAFA. Including his time at Denver (2007-16), CSU is 12-6 (7-2 at Moby) against Scott's squads.
• This was the first time since Feb. 23, 2019 that CSU held an opponent under 50 points (CSU 83, Wyoming 48)
• CSU is now 11-1 (9-1 in MW) when leading at half, 13-0 (10-0) when leading with five minutes to play this season.
• When scoring at least 70 points this year, the Rams are now 16-1 (11-1 MW) on the year.
NEXT UP
• The Rams and Falcons will meet again on Monday night to wrap up the two-game series, tipping at 8 p.m.
• Monday will be an 8 p.m. tip on CBS Sports Network, with Carter Blackburn and former NBA champion with the Spurs and college and NBA head coach Avery Johnson on the call.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth and Adam Nigon on the call. CSU Sports Network broadcasts can be also accessed on mobile devices through the TuneIn app (free on all Apple, Android, Windows, Blackberry and Amazon Kindle devices) – once downloaded, search "Colorado St. Rams Sports Network" in the app for the games and coaches' show broadcasts.
• The game will also have live stats on CSURams.com.
Colorado State struggled in the early going as they finally played a game after 21 days off, as the Rams were unable to find the basket early. However after starting 0-of-7 from the floor but trailing by no more than six, the home team closed the half on a 13-3 run by hitting 5-of-8 from the floor and led 28-24 at the intermission.
The two teams traded early baskets in the second half before the Rams went on a 8-2 run, keyed off six points by forward David Roddy to push the margin to 39-29 at the first media timeout. Air Force remained resolute in handing with the Rams, trailing by just eight with six minutes to play. However from there, CSU did not allow another Falcon field goal and closed the game out on a 17-2 run to take home the win.
For the game, Colorado State shot a season-high 61.0 percent (25-of-41) from the floor and were 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from the three-point line. Air Force was 41.5 percent (17-of-41) from the field and just 23.8 percent (5-of-21) beyond the arc. CSU took care of the boards, 31-15, and oustcored the visitors 32-24 in the paint.
The Rams were led by Roddy and guard Isaiah Stevens with 19 points each, with Roddy adding eight rebounds. Guard Adam Thistlewood added 14, while guard John Tonje chipped in 11 off the bench. Air Force had three in double figures, led by AJ Walker's 13 points.
STAT OF THE GAME
• The Rams were deadly in the second half, connecting on 73.9 percent (17-of-23) of their shots from the field.
NOTES
• The 12-3 mark in Mountain West play is the best 15-game conference record in program history.
• Colorado State has controlled this series, owning an 83-33 lead, including 58-22 in conference play. At home, CSU has gone 45-11 overall.
• CSU has won 17 of the last 19 meetings between the two schools, with the only losses both coming in 2017-18.
• CSU leader Niko Medved has a 5-0 record against Air Force as a head coach.
• The Rams are 6-4 (4-1 at home) against Joe Scott's led Falcons, dating back to 2000-04 in his first tenure at USAFA. Including his time at Denver (2007-16), CSU is 12-6 (7-2 at Moby) against Scott's squads.
• This was the first time since Feb. 23, 2019 that CSU held an opponent under 50 points (CSU 83, Wyoming 48)
• CSU is now 11-1 (9-1 in MW) when leading at half, 13-0 (10-0) when leading with five minutes to play this season.
• When scoring at least 70 points this year, the Rams are now 16-1 (11-1 MW) on the year.
NEXT UP
• The Rams and Falcons will meet again on Monday night to wrap up the two-game series, tipping at 8 p.m.
• Monday will be an 8 p.m. tip on CBS Sports Network, with Carter Blackburn and former NBA champion with the Spurs and college and NBA head coach Avery Johnson on the call.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth and Adam Nigon on the call. CSU Sports Network broadcasts can be also accessed on mobile devices through the TuneIn app (free on all Apple, Android, Windows, Blackberry and Amazon Kindle devices) – once downloaded, search "Colorado St. Rams Sports Network" in the app for the games and coaches' show broadcasts.
• The game will also have live stats on CSURams.com.
Team Stats
USAFA
CSU
FG%
.415
.610
3FG%
.238
.409
FT%
.625
.813
RB
15
31
TO
17
20
STL
7
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballColorado State Basketball (M): Season 1 - Ep. 1
Sunday, August 10
Ramily - CSU Men's Basketball
Tuesday, August 05
Ram Line - Shoot Around with Josh Pascarelli & Darnez Slater (MBB)
Monday, August 04
Behind the White Board - Ken DeWeese
Monday, August 04