The Colorado State University (CSU) Rams suffered a disappointing defeat against Utah State University on January 26, 2024, at Moby Arena, losing 65-61 after leading by 12 points in the second half. A surge of turnovers, particularly in the second half, proved costly for the Rams, who allowed Utah State to capitalize on 21 turnovers throughout the game.
CSU started strong, leading 47-35 following a three-pointer from Josh Pascarelli. Despite initially overcoming a turnover problem that plagued them in the first half, the Rams could not maintain their advantage. CSU’s turnovers increased to 11 in the second half, allowing the Aggies to rally and eventually seize control of the game.
CSU head coach Ali Farokhmanesh emphasized the impact of the turnovers, stating, “It’s the turnovers. That’s what bit us in the foot. For basically 30 minutes and 23 seconds, you’re dominating the game because you’re up double digits most of the time. But when you give that many pick-sixes to that team specifically, they convert them better than anybody in the country.”
The Rams led 35-25 at halftime and quickly extended the lead to 40-27 less than a minute after the break. However, the Aggies began to chip away at the deficit, narrowing the gap to 51-50 with just over nine minutes remaining. Utah State took their first lead since the opening minutes at 53-51, marking a significant shift in momentum.
Despite tying the game at 53, CSU could not regain the lead. With 1:48 left on the clock, Jase Butler hit a critical three-pointer, bringing CSU within two at 63-61. Utah State responded with two free throws in the closing seconds, sealing their victory. This outcome stands in stark contrast to the 100-58 defeat CSU suffered when the teams met in Logan on December 20, 2023.
Despite the loss, Kyle Jorgensen led the Rams with 24 points, showcasing a strong performance, especially in the first half where he scored 19 points. Jorgensen had a career-high five three-pointers but was unable to add to his score in the final 18 minutes. “Obviously, they embarrassed us,” he remarked about the prior meeting. “It was embarrassing. Nobody wants to feel like that… We had them on the ropes the whole game.”
CSU’s shooting percentage in the first half was impressive at 68%, compared to Utah State’s 39%. However, the tables turned in the second half, with the Aggies shooting 61% against the Rams’ 38%. In addition to Jorgensen’s contributions, Pascarelli added 13 points, while Rashaan Mbemba contributed 10 points. The Rams’ bench only scored six points, and Utah State effectively converted CSU’s turnovers into 24 points.
Despite the setback, CSU managed to out-rebound Utah State 30-22. The Rams will look to rebound in their next game against San Diego State on January 31, 2024. As they prepare for this challenge, addressing their turnover issues will be crucial for the team’s success moving forward.
