The Colorado State Rams showcased their resilience by overcoming an early deficit to defeat Dartmouth 76-55 on December 5, 2023, at Moby Arena. This victory marks the Rams’ fourth consecutive win, improving their season record to 8-2 as they prepare to enter the Mountain West Conference slate.
Despite being one of the top 3-point shooting teams nationally, CSU struggled beyond the arc, making only seven of their 18 attempts. However, their defense proved effective, limiting Dartmouth to their lowest point total of the season. The Rams held the Big Green to a shooting percentage of just 40%, forcing 15 turnovers throughout the game.
Team Dynamics and Individual Performances
First-year head coach Ali Farokhmanesh acknowledged the team’s sluggish start, attributing it to the emotional aftermath of their recent win over Colorado. “It’s human nature that after you have an emotional game like that… it’s hard to get ready for the next one,” Farokhmanesh noted. He expressed satisfaction with how the Rams regrouped in the second half, ultimately winning by a significant margin.
The standout performance came from Brandon Rechsteiner, who led the Rams with 14 points, all scored in the first half. Other notable contributors included Kyle Jorgensen with 12 points, Jevin Muniz adding 11, and both Josh Pascarelli and Jase Butler contributing 10 points each. The Rams demonstrated their depth, as all twelve players who participated scored at least two points.
The game began tightly contested, with the score tied at 8-8 in the opening minutes. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Rechsteiner shifted the momentum, giving CSU a 12-8 lead. The Rams extended their advantage to 11 points, leading 25-14 after a jumper from Rechsteiner with just over five minutes remaining in the half. Although Dartmouth narrowed the gap to five points late in the period, CSU closed out the half strong, ending with a 33-24 lead.
Second Half Surge and Defensive Focus
In the second half, Dartmouth attempted to rally, cutting the deficit to 35-31, but CSU responded with a decisive 14-3 run, pushing the score to 49-34. The Rams’ largest lead came with just over a minute left in the game, reaching 74-50.
Despite their success, several players, including Jace Butler, reflected on areas for improvement. “I felt like we didn’t defend the way we could. We still won the game, so it was better to learn that way,” Butler stated. The Rams will prioritize defensive drills as they approach the start of conference play.
CSU also excelled in rebounding, narrowly outpacing Dartmouth 25-23 and holding a slight edge in assists, 13-12. The free-throw battle was minimal, with CSU converting all three of their attempts while Dartmouth made four of eight.
The Rams will face Northern New Mexico in their final nonconference game on December 10, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Moby Arena, before beginning Mountain West Conference play against Utah State on December 20, 2023.
