FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Isaiah Stevens scored 18 of his 20 factors within the second half and had 11 assists to assist No. 20 Colorado State beat Colorado 88-83 on Wednesday night time.
Jalen Lake had 16 factors regardless of taking part in with a damaged finger suffered in observe, which coach Niko Medved mentioned would require surgical procedure.
“He’s in all probability he’s going to overlook six weeks, which is a giant blow to our staff,” Medved mentioned. “Tonight he needed to tape it up and provides it a go, and that efficiency from him, doing that for us and the way in which he performed, is known.”
Nique Clifford and Joel Scott had 15 every for the Rams (7-0), who ended a three-game dropping streak in opposition to their in-state rivals. College students rushed the Moby Area courtroom to rejoice with the gamers after the ultimate horn.
Clifford performed three seasons with Colorado earlier than transferring north to affix the Rams.
“I attempted to get that in my head that it was simply one other sport however in actuality just isn’t,” Clifford mentioned. “I’ve ties with these guys, I used to be there for 3 years, so I had some delight going into that sport. It feels actually good to come back away with a win.”
KJ Simpson had 30 factors and freshman Cody Williams added 21 for the Buffaloes (5-2), who couldn’t overcome a poor first half once they made simply 7 of 26 from the sphere, missed all 5 of their 3-point makes an attempt and had 9 turnovers. Colorado shot 20 of 29 within the second half with simply six turnovers.
The Buffaloes pulled inside 5 early within the second half however fell behind by 12 after coach Tad Boyle’s technical foul with 10:15 left. Stevens made all 4 free throws to place Colorado State 64-52, however a layup by Williams made it 82-77 with 54 seconds left.
The Rams broke the press and Stevens fed Clifford for a dunk, and he break up a pair of free throws to make it 85-77.
“That’s not straightforward. He’s a human being and also you’re taking part in in opposition to your former teammates and coaches, guys , guys you lived with,” Medved mentioned. “I believed his strategy was large. He simply got here on the market, he was locked into the sport. Cool second for him to get that dunk on the finish that saved them at bay.”
Colorado State performed with out Patrick Cartier, who suffered a again damage within the win over Creighton on Thanksgiving.
BIG PICTURE
Colorado: The Buffaloes, who fell out of the rankings this week, misplaced their first true street sport of the season and can probably keep out of the polls heading into Pac-12 play.
Colorado State: The Rams adopted their dominant win over then-No. 8 Creighton with one other sturdy efficiency. “We saved telling ourselves to maintain appearing like we’re not ranked,” Stevens mentioned.
UP NEXT
Colorado: Hosts Pepperdine on Sunday.
Colorado State: Hosts Washington on Saturday.