CSU Closes out Non-Conference With Strong Effort

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Some good tidings heading into the holidays. More importantly, leading into Mountain West play.

Colorado State's men's basketball team went on quite the ride during non-conference play, meeting each win streak with a losing one to match. The Rams closed out the 11-game slate with a 78-68 victory over Radford at Moby Arena on Tuesday night, using an 11-0 run late in the first half to create some cushion.

Which would dissipate at times in the second half, but unlike their past outing, the Rams produced responses. When pushed, they pushed back.

The win was one where the Rams could pack away something positive. They were sharing the ball – 21 assists on 29 baskets – and helping on defense, at least in the first half. Nine different CSU players scored overall with the bench making a major contribution.

"I think that was good for our guys. I don't think we got rattled," CSU coach Niko Medved said. "We had one little stretch early in the second half where we weren't guarding the way we needed to, but every time it looked like we had a chance to separate and we needed a big shot to go down or whatever, we couldn't get it. Then they'd come and make one the other way, but our guys stayed with it.

"I thought we made some huge plays. Keyshawn Williams made some huge plays; Rashaan (Mbemba) made some huge plays, then we made our free throws."

Medved and his team have spent the early part of the season doing some searching for combinations and rhythm, finding both at times, losing them at others. Tuesday was much the same and represented the fourth varied starting lineup. Nique Clifford, Kyan Evans and Jalen Lake are the constants, but the game represented the first time both Ethan Mortan and Rashaan Mbemba joined them.

It's been an uneasy start for Mbemba who has missed three games with a groin injury, but he seems to be finding a flow in the past two games. It was impressive enough he scored a season-best 10 points in the preceding loss to VCU after being sick during the lead-up, and he came back with more against the Highlanders.

He finished with a career-best 16 points in the game, missing just one shot in his seven attempts, while pulling down six boards.

"I'm glad to be back on the court," Mbemba said. "I've had the groin issue, so I'm just happy to be on the court, help the team out and just focus on winning the next game, the next day."

For Medved, seeing consistent outings from the big sophomore is more than encouraging. It's a moment the team has been waiting for, feeling at times a step forward has been met with a setback.

Medved, maybe a bit superstitious, hopes it's a two-game stretch representing the start of something lasting.

"I mean, he didn't even practice before the one before, so that was good. We did have him in practice the last couple of days," Medved said. "It just makes such a huge difference for our team in so many ways. Hopefully, knock on wood, he's feeling a little bit better. We've got to be really careful with him still in practice, and he needs to keep doing what he's been doing, but obviously, having him in the lineup and playing more minutes and as he gets into better shape is big for our team."

The Rams led by 10 at the break. They won the game by the same margin. The time in between had some tense moments.

Radford made their push in the place CSU controlled the first 20 minutes, inside. Limited to just 10 points in the paint in the first half, the Highlanders made their surge by getting the ball down low, scoring 24 points there in the second 10 minutes, including their first eight of the second half. There was also a spurt of CSU turnovers in one spell which slowed offensive production, but overall, the number (10) wasn't alarming.

What has been is the team's outside shooting (just 28.6 percent in the game, 30.7 for the season). Those numbers need to improve, but to Mbemba, they also highlight the importance of getting the ball into the paint.

"We had a lower shooting night from the outside, but it shows with defense and sticking with our plan, sticking to our flow and still attacking the paint, in games we don't shoot as well, we will still be able to get out with a win," Mbemba said. "I think that just happened today, and it's also just good to know."

Who wasn't slow at any point was Keshawn Williams, who led a strong effort from the bench. He poured in a CSU-best 16 points to match Mbemba, grabbing one more board than the big man.

For the transfer, he said energy has to be his constant entering the game, everything else he adds represents a bonus. Those points, a major plus. For a guy who missed most of the past two seasons, and for someone used to starting, Medved has been pleased with how Williams has come along.

"I mean, Coach gave us our roles at the beginning of the year. He told me when you come in, I need you to bring a spark plug, I need you to provide energy," Williams said. "Anything else that comes after that is just a plus.

"I don't really think there was a particular moment in the game where I felt (I could score), I just feel in the flow of the game I just try to find my spots, try to get to the rim and just do what I can, but within the offense."

When the Rams went to the line in the closing minutes, they were sharp. Kyan Evans scored the team's final six from the stripe, leading him to a career-best night of 15 points. Mbemba went before him and hit a pair.

Jalen Lake was the fourth Ram in double figures, closing with 11 and a team-leading seven assists.

Those are winning plays, the kind which make a difference in tight games, which conference games often become. While the Rams aren't where they want to be exactly at 6-5, Medved believes they are in a much better place, carrying the promise more can come.

"I knew it was going to be a little choppy early with this group with so many new faces and young guys trying to figure it out," Medved said. "I think they're improving. I think we got a lot better during finals week, so I think they're going to keep improving."

Colorado State has a quick turnaround into conference play, starting on the road in Nevada on Dec. 21, then a week off before hosting New Mexico at home on Dec. 21. The ride is far from over -- just about ready to hit the exciting parts of the trek – but the Rams will enter the big curves on a high note.

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