Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Arkansas- Pine Bluff
Rams dismantle Golden Lions with huge second half run
11/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- After a slow first half, the Colorado State men's basketball team turned up the intensity in front of 2,508 fans in Moby Arena by going on a 23-2 scoring run in the second half to spark a 73-48 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff Wednesday night.
"It kind of seemed like the first half we played as individuals and then played as a team in the second half," said senior center Stuart Creason.
Creason and the rest of the Rams gave fans a small taste of what is to come this season in their home opener. CSU (4-2) returned home from a three-week road trip to begin the Tim Miles era, but the Rams did not let down in their first regular-season appearance in Fort Collins.
"I think our kids are a little tired right now, we've been on the road a lot," said Miles. "We're getting rhythm and we need to keep that same rhythm going."
Creason continued his rhythm off of the road trip with a game-high 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go along with nine rebounds, just one shy of his third double-double of the season.
The Rams retained a 10-2 lead early in the first half, but after back-and-forth basketball and a pair of three pointers from Arkansas-Pine Bluff guards, the score was 28-24 at the half.
Not only did they use the scoring run to pull away from the Golden Lions, but CSU played well defensively by blocking five shots, three by center Ronnie Aguilar, and held the Lions to 28 percent shooting from the field, a season-low for a CSU opponent.
Aguilar chipped in with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds, both career bests, off the bench to help the Rams outrebound Pine Bluff 51-34. The 7-foot center made both shot attempts from the floor and converted on five of his six free throws.
Sophomore Adam Nigon got his first start of the season and led the Rams with five assists.
"Adam Nigon made the plays and kept us around," said Miles. "He got the start and he didn't try to do too much."
CSU now travels to Northern Colorado on Saturday to face the Bears.
"I know they will have a great atmosphere and I know that it is an important game for everybody," said Miles. "We are going to have to battle our butts off. I'm excited about getting the opportunity to be going in there. I look at it as a rivalry game, just as CU, Air Force and Wyoming."
