Colorado State University Athletics
Wednesday, January 18
Fort Collins, CO
8:30 PM
Colorado State
10-10,2-5Mountain West
76
vs
82
San Diego State
14-4,5-1Mountain West
1
2
OT 1
F
San Diego St.
28
37
17
82
Colorado St.
34
31
11
76
Stevens Overtime Magic Doesn’t Replicate on Home Court
1/19/2023 12:27:00 AM | Men's Basketball
It was close all game long but not enough in the end
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Forty minutes isn't enough for college basketball.
Colorado State played past regulation for the third straight game (10-10, 2-5); the first time it's happened since the 2003-04 season. Unlike last time out against the UNLV Rebels, the Rams could not pull a rabbit out of the hat with an 82-76 loss to the San Diego State Aztecs (14-4, 5-1).
"Heartbreaking loss here tonight for our guys," head coach Niko Medved said. "I've got no peeve with how our guys played. I thought our guys left everything they had out there on the court."
It would turn out to be a battle from the get-go for the audience tuning in on national TV, along with the thousands of returning students to campus – off the end of a day of canceled classes. They would see and enjoy a battle all night long, but one which wouldn't spin their way.
While overtime was not kind to the Rams as it was this past Saturday, they couldn't make it happen because of the Aztecs shooting in the extra frame. They finished every shot they took, exploding for 17 points in total in overtime, leaving the what ifs for minds to ponder about.
"We had a couple of good looks at it late," Medved said. "They miss one more, we make one more, we win … if Zay (Isaiah Stevens) is fouled in regulation on his layup and makes the free throw, we win in regulation. There are no missing pieces, we just needed to make a few more plays."
While the Rams are 1-2 in their last three overtime games, there are still plenty of positives to take from this matchup. Jalen Lake recorded a career-high in points with 17, beating out his previous record of 13. He was vital in hitting some big-time three-pointers down the stretch.
Isaiah Stevens followed suit with 16 points of his own, including the game-tying layup in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime. While being guarded heavily all night long, Stevens managed to grab a double-double with 11 assists. He was one of five double-digit scorers for the Rams on the night.
"I'm grateful my teammates were able to find me," Lake said. "I'm glad I was able to step up and knock it down. But what matters is that we didn't get the win."
While Colorado State led the majority of the game until overtime, things fell apart, especially in the second half – one of the negatives to take away. Fouls were an issue, as John Tonje ended with four fouls and was playing limited minutes at the end of the game.
Furthermore, turnovers also haunted the Rams. Fourteen turnovers from Colorado State led to 20 of the Aztecs' points. The full-court press from San Diego State influenced the game heavily, leading to the points. More importantly, how the shots were made was what upset Medved the most.
"If you look at the numbers, we're one of the top 20 teams in the country of taking care of the ball," Medved said. "It was the way we turned it over, turnovers that led to touchdowns. When they're scoring out of your offense on a jailbreak, those just absolutely kill you."
While Colorado State sees this as a heartbreaking loss and a missed opportunity, there are still plenty of aspirations within the side. While they sit at a negative record in the conference, there's still plenty of basketball to be played.
This includes their upcoming game on Saturday in Laramie against the Wyoming Cowboys. The Cowboys remain winless in the conference, chomping at the bits to take down a rival for their first conference win of the season. Hence, this loss only seems to be a blip in the road.
"We can't leave this one feeling down," Isaiah Rivers said. "We know we have to move on from this one, learn from it, watch the film, digest it, and get better from it."
As a whole, the nine-man rotation sticking around and building some chemistry. It may just be what the doctor ordered and needed for this Rams side.
The hope is still there and alive. It's a matter of how it's utilized by those around the program.
"I'm a process guy, and I'm proud of the way these guys competed and how they fought," Medved said. "It was different tonight than some of the other games we've lost. I told them we didn't execute enough in critical situations and had to make a couple more plays, but we can't feel sorry for ourselves. It is what it is."
Colorado State played past regulation for the third straight game (10-10, 2-5); the first time it's happened since the 2003-04 season. Unlike last time out against the UNLV Rebels, the Rams could not pull a rabbit out of the hat with an 82-76 loss to the San Diego State Aztecs (14-4, 5-1).
"Heartbreaking loss here tonight for our guys," head coach Niko Medved said. "I've got no peeve with how our guys played. I thought our guys left everything they had out there on the court."
It would turn out to be a battle from the get-go for the audience tuning in on national TV, along with the thousands of returning students to campus – off the end of a day of canceled classes. They would see and enjoy a battle all night long, but one which wouldn't spin their way.
While overtime was not kind to the Rams as it was this past Saturday, they couldn't make it happen because of the Aztecs shooting in the extra frame. They finished every shot they took, exploding for 17 points in total in overtime, leaving the what ifs for minds to ponder about.
"We had a couple of good looks at it late," Medved said. "They miss one more, we make one more, we win … if Zay (Isaiah Stevens) is fouled in regulation on his layup and makes the free throw, we win in regulation. There are no missing pieces, we just needed to make a few more plays."
While the Rams are 1-2 in their last three overtime games, there are still plenty of positives to take from this matchup. Jalen Lake recorded a career-high in points with 17, beating out his previous record of 13. He was vital in hitting some big-time three-pointers down the stretch.
Isaiah Stevens followed suit with 16 points of his own, including the game-tying layup in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime. While being guarded heavily all night long, Stevens managed to grab a double-double with 11 assists. He was one of five double-digit scorers for the Rams on the night.
"I'm grateful my teammates were able to find me," Lake said. "I'm glad I was able to step up and knock it down. But what matters is that we didn't get the win."
While Colorado State led the majority of the game until overtime, things fell apart, especially in the second half – one of the negatives to take away. Fouls were an issue, as John Tonje ended with four fouls and was playing limited minutes at the end of the game.
Furthermore, turnovers also haunted the Rams. Fourteen turnovers from Colorado State led to 20 of the Aztecs' points. The full-court press from San Diego State influenced the game heavily, leading to the points. More importantly, how the shots were made was what upset Medved the most.
"If you look at the numbers, we're one of the top 20 teams in the country of taking care of the ball," Medved said. "It was the way we turned it over, turnovers that led to touchdowns. When they're scoring out of your offense on a jailbreak, those just absolutely kill you."
While Colorado State sees this as a heartbreaking loss and a missed opportunity, there are still plenty of aspirations within the side. While they sit at a negative record in the conference, there's still plenty of basketball to be played.
This includes their upcoming game on Saturday in Laramie against the Wyoming Cowboys. The Cowboys remain winless in the conference, chomping at the bits to take down a rival for their first conference win of the season. Hence, this loss only seems to be a blip in the road.
"We can't leave this one feeling down," Isaiah Rivers said. "We know we have to move on from this one, learn from it, watch the film, digest it, and get better from it."
As a whole, the nine-man rotation sticking around and building some chemistry. It may just be what the doctor ordered and needed for this Rams side.
The hope is still there and alive. It's a matter of how it's utilized by those around the program.
"I'm a process guy, and I'm proud of the way these guys competed and how they fought," Medved said. "It was different tonight than some of the other games we've lost. I told them we didn't execute enough in critical situations and had to make a couple more plays, but we can't feel sorry for ourselves. It is what it is."
Team Stats
SDSU
CSU
FG%
.453
.456
3FG%
.368
.379
FT%
.680
.867
RB
38
32
TO
10
14
STL
10
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Colorado 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