"I thought being able to consistently get the ball inside was the
difference," said third-year Rams' coach Dale Layer. "I thought that
Nelson, Ronnie Clark and Brian Greene set the tone inside early in the
game."
Leading 28-24 with eight minutes to play in the first half, Colorado
State outscored the Pioneers, 25-5 the rest of the period to take a
commanding 53-31 intermission lead. Nelson scored 10 points during the
rally, Greene added six and Clark four, respectively.
Greene added 19 points - his top scoring total in six games - while
swingman Ronnie Clark added 17. Guard Andy Birley, who entered the game
leading the team in scoring, had nine points but dished out a career-high 10
assists. It's the first time that a Ram has been in double figures in
assists since Milt Palacio - now starting for the NBA's Cleveland
Cavaliers - had 10 in 1999 against UTEP.
Colorado State shot a season-best 63 percent from the field, 66 percent
in the first half when the Rams made 21-of-32 field goals. DU finished
shooting 41 percent, but just 37 in the first half when Colorado State's
defense held the Pioneers to just 10-of-27 shooting.
Denver had four players score in double figures, led by center Brett
Starkey's 17 points.
Colorado State is back in action Saturday afternoon, playing host to
Washington State at 2 p.m. in Moby Arena.