The Colorado State Rams men’s basketball team suffered a disappointing defeat to Utah State, losing 65-61 on March 15, 2024, at Moby Arena. Despite holding a 12-point lead with just over 13 minutes remaining, the Rams could not maintain their advantage due to a series of turnovers that ultimately allowed the Aggies to capitalize and secure the victory.
Colorado State initially took control of the game, leading 35-25 at halftime. They extended their lead to 40-27 shortly after the break, thanks to a three-pointer from Kyle Jorgensen. However, the Rams’ momentum dwindled as they committed 11 turnovers in the second half, contributing to a season-high total of 21 turnovers for the game. The Aggies turned these mistakes into 24 points, which proved critical in their comeback.
Ali Farokhmanesh, head coach of the Rams, emphasized the importance of ball security, stating, “It’s the turnovers that 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.” After a strong start, Colorado State struggled to manage the ball effectively, which allowed Utah State to gradually chip away at the lead.
As the second half progressed, Utah State closed the gap, making it a one-point game at 51-50 with 9:15 left. They regained the lead for the first time since the early minutes of the game, moving ahead 53-51. Although Colorado State managed to tie the score at 53, they could not reclaim the lead.
With just under two minutes remaining, the Rams trailed 63-61 following a three-pointer from Jase Butler. However, Utah State sealed their victory with two free throws in the final seconds, despite the Rams’ earlier dominance in the match. Colorado State’s loss puts their overall record at 12-8 and 3-6 in the Mountain West Conference.
Jorgensen led the Rams offensively, scoring 24 points, including five three-pointers, in his second start since returning from injury. He had a strong first half, netting 19 points, but did not score in the final 18 minutes of play. Reflecting on the previous encounter with Utah State, where the Rams lost by 42 points, Jorgensen noted, “Obviously, they embarrassed us. It was embarrassing. Nobody wants to feel like that. I think we did a great job of bringing the fight early.”
In the first half, Colorado State shot an impressive 68%, compared to Utah State’s 39%. However, the roles reversed in the second half, with the Aggies shooting 61% while the Rams struggled at 38%. In addition to Jorgensen’s performance, Josh Pascarelli contributed 13 points, while Rashaan Mbemba added 10. The Rams’ bench, however, managed only six points, which highlighted the need for more balanced scoring.
As the Rams look to rebound from this tough loss, they will be back in action on Wednesday night against San Diego State. The upcoming game presents an opportunity for Colorado State to refocus and improve their performance as they aim to strengthen their position in the conference standings.
