Colorado State University Athletics
Saturday, January 7
Fort Collins, CO
2:30 PM
Colorado State
9-8,1-3Mountain West
79
vs
57
Fresno State
6-9,2-2Mountain West
1
2
F
Fresno St.
23
34
57
Colorado St.
35
44
79
CSU Storms Away with First Mountain West Win
1/7/2023 5:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
2023 brings good spirits to start the year
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State (9-8, 1-3 MW) managed a good first half and pulled away in the second 20 minutes to their first Mountain West win of the season. Fresno State (6-8, 2-2 MW) did what they could with their low scoring offense late, but it wasn't enough as the Rams ended up on top 79-57.
"It was a really good day for us, we needed to respond after the struggles we've been going through," head coach Niko Medved said. "We prepared well and played well on both ends of the court. We were able to get the ball into the interior right away and put pressure on them that way and never looked back."
CSU jumped out to an early advantage thanks to the good start and use of the tall men in the paint. Patrick Cartier tied for the team lead with 16 points, going 6-of-9 and draining two three pointers as well in 24 minutes of action.
His counterpart James Moor was also solid when called upon. While he only had nine points, in a time where they are the only two available big men on the team, he played his part Saturday afternoon in 15 minutes of action.
"We both complement each other really well," Cartier said. "James brings more physicality in a defensive presence. But I think we do good playing in that Ying and Yang role."
Meanwhile, another name in this Rams squad who needed a rebound game was John Tonje. He had a stellar game, something he'll take in his arsenal and increase his confidence in what has been a trying time for CSU.
Tonje had 13 points but looking deeper into his stat line helps his cause. In the previous two games against San Jose State and Nevada, he shot 25.0 percent and 27.2 percent, respectively. Saturday afternoon, he got back to terms shooting 5-of-8 for 62.5 percent, including 3-of-6 behind the arch.
"It's obviously a relief, it feels good," Tonje said. "I'm just keeping the confidence and knowing that every game is a new game, and it was good today."
Isaiah Stevens also did what he had to do to help his team out of their slump. He also put up a team-high 16 points and was perfect from the free throw line.
More importantly for Stevens, he made CSU history. On his first of six assists, he found Moors for a bucket. It was the 500th assist in his career at Colorado State. He is the second player to accomplish this feat, behind Ryan Yoder's 530 assists – a record which Stevens will likely break in the near future too.
"Our guys have so much respect for him and he's an all-timer," Medved said. "I think when his career is over, people will look back and he'll be one of the greatest to ever play here and he continues to do it every night."
While there are several individuals who stand out within the team in the midst of victory, the team as a whole had plenty to celebrate. The Rams had only six turnovers, helping their fight to victory by keeping the ball.
Not only did they keep the ball, but they moved it in an orderly fashion. On 29 made shots, there were 26 assists.The dedication to circle the ball around the court and get Fresno State's defense moving went all according to plan for the coaching staff.
"Every time they made a run, we were able to combat it with a run of our own," Medved said. "When they changed defenses, we were able to attack that, and I thought everybody contributed. I mean, when you have 26 assists and six turnovers that's a good day at the office."
With the win, the Rams kick off the new year with their first win in the Mountain West. In a conference where things do not get any easier from here on out, every win is crucial just as this one is.
While Fresno State was on the highest of highs upsetting the ranked New Mexico Lobos, they looked poised to get their hands all over the winless Rams. However, the spirit of Colorado State coursed through the veins of everybody it needed to lead to success on the court.
"We just stay in the moment, and obviously in the middle of a losing streak it can bog down teams," Tonje said. "Every day is a new day, every day is a blessing, we're happy to be here and blessed to be in this position."
It's a blessing to be a Ram, some might say. Colorado State looks to stay blessed in the win column facing their third in-state rival of the year, hosting the Air Force Falcons on Tuesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m.
"It was a really good day for us, we needed to respond after the struggles we've been going through," head coach Niko Medved said. "We prepared well and played well on both ends of the court. We were able to get the ball into the interior right away and put pressure on them that way and never looked back."
CSU jumped out to an early advantage thanks to the good start and use of the tall men in the paint. Patrick Cartier tied for the team lead with 16 points, going 6-of-9 and draining two three pointers as well in 24 minutes of action.
His counterpart James Moor was also solid when called upon. While he only had nine points, in a time where they are the only two available big men on the team, he played his part Saturday afternoon in 15 minutes of action.
"We both complement each other really well," Cartier said. "James brings more physicality in a defensive presence. But I think we do good playing in that Ying and Yang role."
Meanwhile, another name in this Rams squad who needed a rebound game was John Tonje. He had a stellar game, something he'll take in his arsenal and increase his confidence in what has been a trying time for CSU.
Tonje had 13 points but looking deeper into his stat line helps his cause. In the previous two games against San Jose State and Nevada, he shot 25.0 percent and 27.2 percent, respectively. Saturday afternoon, he got back to terms shooting 5-of-8 for 62.5 percent, including 3-of-6 behind the arch.
"It's obviously a relief, it feels good," Tonje said. "I'm just keeping the confidence and knowing that every game is a new game, and it was good today."
Isaiah Stevens also did what he had to do to help his team out of their slump. He also put up a team-high 16 points and was perfect from the free throw line.
More importantly for Stevens, he made CSU history. On his first of six assists, he found Moors for a bucket. It was the 500th assist in his career at Colorado State. He is the second player to accomplish this feat, behind Ryan Yoder's 530 assists – a record which Stevens will likely break in the near future too.
"Our guys have so much respect for him and he's an all-timer," Medved said. "I think when his career is over, people will look back and he'll be one of the greatest to ever play here and he continues to do it every night."
While there are several individuals who stand out within the team in the midst of victory, the team as a whole had plenty to celebrate. The Rams had only six turnovers, helping their fight to victory by keeping the ball.
Not only did they keep the ball, but they moved it in an orderly fashion. On 29 made shots, there were 26 assists.The dedication to circle the ball around the court and get Fresno State's defense moving went all according to plan for the coaching staff.
"Every time they made a run, we were able to combat it with a run of our own," Medved said. "When they changed defenses, we were able to attack that, and I thought everybody contributed. I mean, when you have 26 assists and six turnovers that's a good day at the office."
With the win, the Rams kick off the new year with their first win in the Mountain West. In a conference where things do not get any easier from here on out, every win is crucial just as this one is.
While Fresno State was on the highest of highs upsetting the ranked New Mexico Lobos, they looked poised to get their hands all over the winless Rams. However, the spirit of Colorado State coursed through the veins of everybody it needed to lead to success on the court.
"We just stay in the moment, and obviously in the middle of a losing streak it can bog down teams," Tonje said. "Every day is a new day, every day is a blessing, we're happy to be here and blessed to be in this position."
It's a blessing to be a Ram, some might say. Colorado State looks to stay blessed in the win column facing their third in-state rival of the year, hosting the Air Force Falcons on Tuesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Fresno
CSU
FG%
.388
.547
3FG%
.348
.483
FT%
.733
.636
RB
33
27
TO
13
6
STL
0
5
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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