Colorado State asserted its dominance over Air Force Academy at Moby Arena, cruising to an 81-52 victory. The Rams' convincing performance was fueled by a balanced attack, with three players - Josh Pascarelli, Jase Butler, and Brandon Rechsteiner - each scoring 11 points. Pascarelli also pulled down 7 rebounds, making him the standout performer for Colorado State.
The game unfolded with Colorado State taking control from the outset, building a 38-21 lead by halftime. Air Force struggled to find its footing, with its top scorer Kam Sanders managing 11 points, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide. The Falcons' Lucas Hobin added 10 points, while Ethan Greenberg chipped in with 8, but their efforts were overshadowed by the Rams' relentless offense.
CHD Scout had predicted a Colorado State win by 15 points, and while the actual margin of 29 points exceeded expectations, the outcome was never in doubt. The Rams' 43-point second half sealed the deal, as they outscored Air Force 43-31 in the period.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The victory improves Colorado State's record to 12-8, with the Rams now boasting a net ranking of 93. This win, however, falls into the Q4 category for Colorado State, which may not significantly boost their tournament resume. For Air Force, the loss drops them to 3-17, with a net ranking of 345. This game was classified as a Q2 matchup for the Falcons, but the large margin of defeat won't help their already slim tournament hopes.
Colorado State's performance demonstrates their ability to take care of business against lesser opponents, which is crucial for building a strong tournament profile. While this win may not carry significant weight in terms of quad ranking, it's a reflection of the Rams' depth and ability to share the scoring load. As the season progresses, Colorado State must replicate this level of performance against tougher opponents to strengthen their tournament chances.
The convincing nature of this win underscores Colorado State's superiority over Air Force, and the Rams want to build on this momentum in their upcoming games. With their sights set on a potential tournament berth, the Rams must continue to rack up wins, particularly against more formidable foes. For now, this dominant performance serves as a confidence booster, and Colorado State will aim to carry this energy forward into their next matchup.