The Colorado State Rams secured a 79-68 victory over the Wyoming Cowboys, led by Jase Butler's impressive 18 points and 6 assists. Wyoming's Damarion Dennis put up a game-high 21 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rams' strong second-half performance, where they outscored the Cowboys 42-28. Colorado State's record now stands at 15-10, while Wyoming falls to 13-12. The Rams' 11-point margin of victory exceeded the predicted 3.4-point margin by the CHD Scout, demonstrating their dominance in the matchup.
Jase Butler's 18 Points Marked His 10th Game with 15+ Points This Season
The game got off to a competitive start, with Wyoming taking a 40-37 lead into halftime. However, Colorado State came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Cowboys 42-28 to secure the win. The Rams' Jevin Muniz and Rashaan Mbemba contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, to support Butler's efforts. Wyoming's Khaden Bennett added 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Nasir Meyer scored 12 points. The Cowboys' inability to maintain their first-half pace ultimately led to their downfall, as they were outscored by 14 points in the second half. Colorado State's 42 second-half points were the highest in any half for the team in their last 5 games, showcasing their improved offense.
Jase Butler and Damarion Dennis were the standout performers in the game, with Butler's 18 points and 6 assists leading the way for Colorado State. Dennis's 21 points were a game-high, but he received limited support from his teammates. Wyoming's Khaden Bennett and Nasir Meyer added 13 and 12 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rams' balanced attack. Colorado State's Rashaan Mbemba also had a strong game, scoring 14 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. The Rams' top performers combined for 47 points, accounting for nearly 60% of their total score.
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Final
Colorado State's 79 points were the most they've scored in a game since their 82-75 win over Utah State on January 21. The Rams shot 51.9% from the field, including 42.9% from three-point range, to outpace Wyoming's 44.1% field goal percentage. Wyoming was outrebounded 34-29, with Colorado State's Rashaan Mbemba leading the way with 8 rebounds. The Rams also committed 12 turnovers, 4 fewer than the Cowboys, which helped them maintain control of the game. Colorado State's 6 assists from Jase Butler were a team-high, and his 18 points marked the 10th time this season he's scored 15 or more points in a game.
The CHD Scout predicted a Colorado State win by 3.4 points, and the Rams delivered with an 11-point victory. This prediction was accurate, as Colorado State's strong second-half performance and balanced attack proved too much for Wyoming. The CHD Scout's predicted score of 76-72 was close, but the actual margin of victory was nearly 3 times larger. The model correctly identified Colorado State as the stronger team, and their performance justified this prediction. The Rams' 15-10 record and 98 NET ranking suggest they have a good chance of making a deep run in the tournament, and this win will help bolster their resume.
This win was a crucial Q3 victory for Colorado State, improving their record to 15-10 and strengthening their tournament resume. Wyoming, on the other hand, suffered a Q2 loss, falling to 13-12 and damaging their own tournament hopes. The Rams' 98 NET ranking should improve with this win, while Wyoming's 99 NET ranking may drop. Colorado State's Quad 3 record now stands at 5-4, while Wyoming's Quad 2 record is 2-5. The Rams' ability to secure a double-digit win against a similarly ranked opponent will be viewed favorably by the selection committee, and this victory could be a key factor in their tournament seeding.
Colorado State's next game is scheduled for February 17 against the Fresno State Bulldogs, while Wyoming will face the San Diego State Aztecs on February 18. Both teams want to build on their current momentum, with Colorado State seeking to extend their winning streak and Wyoming aiming to bounce back from this loss. The Rams must maintain their strong offense and defense to secure a win against Fresno State, while Wyoming must regroup and refocus to take down the Aztecs.