Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
16-9,10-4Mountain West
Wyoming
11-15,4-11Mountain West
Rams Dominate Border War With Historic Victory
2/15/2025 5:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
A Fast Start Can Change the Outcome
Colorado State basketball legends come in many forms.
From the early pioneers of the program to modern fan-favorites like Joe Palmer, the Rams have a rich history of greatness. Many of those legends returned to Moby Arena for the annual Border War against Wyoming, witnessing a historic 88-53 CSU victory— matching the largest winning margin in the rivalry's history.
Joel Scott sat with Palmer on the sidelines until the iconic headband-clad guard stepped onto the court and sank a half-court shot, winning beer-for-a-year for a lucky student and sending the student section into a frenzy.
However, what matters most now are the players still writing their legacy. With 33 points coming from the bench, the Rams' depth is proving to be a defining factor.
"I think they came in and changed the game for us," Nique Clifford said. "You know, they're probably the most important part. We get off to a good start, but the second unit is huge for any team. So, for them to come in and play as well as they did, it's super good for us.
"And our confidence level is rising going forward—it's great to have that reassurance with some of those guys stepping up."
The sold-out Moby Arena witnessed Clifford's 12th double-double of the season, and fourth of his career against the Cowboys, as he dominated with 22 points and 11 rebounds on near-flawless 8-of-9 shooting.
But he wasn't alone in the spotlight. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (11 points) and Kyan Evans (15 points) both reached double digits, making an emphatic statement in their first Border War starts inside Moby Arena.
"It was my first time playing in the Border War (at home)," Crocker-Johnson said. "It was a great experience. Moby was loud today, and I'm definitely looking forward to more games like this."
The victory marked CSU's fifth consecutive home win in the Border War rivalry. After a tough loss to Utah State earlier in the week, the Rams responded in dominant fashion.
Thier fast start made waves in that aspect. Whereas a slow opening doomed them against Utah State, CSU came out firing against Wyoming, holding the Cowboys scoreless for the first four minutes and finishing the game shooting a blistering 60% from the field.
"I think the best thing our guys did was not overthink," head coach Niko Medved said. "Just keep moving the ball and keep it simple. And I thought, for the most part, the shot selection was pretty good. We ended up shooting 60%, so you can't be too upset with that."
Beyond offensive efficiency, the Rams have also found their rhythm defensively. One key contributor to their defensive prowess is transfer Ethan Morton, who has steadily grown more confident on the Moby court. His stat line—seven assists and eight points on 4-of-5 shooting—underscored his impact.
"He's doing a great job of being aggressive at the rim," Medved said. "He's moving well, cutting them off, and pushing the tempo when he gets rebounds. And, obviously, he's a weapon for us on defense—he can guard so many different guys."
It wasn't just the established stars who shined. Late in the game, young players Jaden Steppe and Luke Murphy got their chance. Steppe drilled a 3 and followed up with a layup, ending the game on a high note.
"It turned everybody up," Clifford said. "When you're a guy that doesn't get to play as much, I've been in that position before. So, it's just super cool for your teammates to lift you up and have that moment. I think people are seeing that our team is so deep, and it showcases the future."
And the future looks brighter than ever as the Rams push deeper into their Mountain West campaign, eager to etch their names among the legends of Colorado State basketball.
