UPDATE: The CSU Rams suffered a shocking first loss of the season, falling to the Denver Pioneers, 83-81, in a nail-biting finish at Moby Arena on November 10, 2023. A missed buzzer-beater from Josh Pascarelli left the Rams devastated, despite a valiant effort to steal victory at the last moment.
The Rams, now 4-1, struggled significantly from the free-throw line, shooting only 79.5%, and from beyond the arc at 44.4%. After trailing 41-33 at halftime, they fought back with a furious 12-2 run to tie the game early in the second half. However, the Pioneers quickly regained control, leading by as many as five points down the stretch.
With less than a minute remaining, the Rams cut the deficit to just one point, 80-79, following a pair of crucial free throws by Carey Booth. A golden opportunity to take the lead slipped away when Jevin Muniz missed a layup after a pivotal block by Booth. The back-and-forth battle continued until Denver held an 83-81 lead with only 2.3 seconds left on the clock.
In a dramatic finale, Pascarelli’s last-second shot from beyond the arc missed its mark, sealing the Rams’ fate. The emotional impact of this loss is palpable among fans and players alike, as it marks a tough start to the season.
Leading the Rams, Kyle Jorgensen scored a career-high 29 points, while Booth contributed 18 points and 5 rebounds. The team initially had a strong start, building a 19-11 lead, but could not maintain momentum as Denver’s Carson Johnson hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer, pushing the Pioneers ahead at halftime.
Next up, the Rams will look to bounce back against Virginia Tech on November 15 in the Battle 4 Atlantis, held in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Fans are eager to see if the Rams can regroup and overcome this setback as they continue their season journey.
