Rams end skid, beat Aztecs 102-89

Five Colorado State players scored in double figures as the Rams downed visiting San Diego State, 102-89, in Mountain West Conference men’s basketball action Monday night. Colorado State is now 15-12 overall, 4-8 in the league entering a Thursday night game at Utah. San Diego State is 15-11, 6-7.

Trailing 15-14 with 13 minutes to play in the first half, the Rams used an 8-0 run over the next two minutes, 30 seconds to take a 22-15 lead. By halftime, the Rams had stretched the lead to 52-36, and led by as many as 22 points in the second half.  San Diego State would come no closer than nine points in the closing minutes of the game.

The game marked the final home appearance for three Rams, seniors Andy Birley and Brian Greene, and junior Darian Burke.  All three will earn degrees later this spring.

“It was great to have three seniors go out like this,” said Rams’ coach Dale Layer.  “The seniors are irreplaceable in a lot of ways because they are awesome individuals.”

Sophomore center Matt Nelson scored 11 straight points for the Rams during one second-half segment, and finished with a season-best 30 points, one of five Rams in double figures.

“Matt Nelson continues to be the best post player in the Mountain West Conference,” Layer said.

Greene finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, his 11th career double-double game in scoring and rebounding and 13th time he has been in double figures in rebounds.  Ronnie Clark added 13 points, Birley scored 12 and dished out six assists, and Micheal Morris finished with 10 points and six assists.

Colorado State’s point total marked the first time since the 1978
season the Rams had passed the century mark in a conference game.