UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown, the CSU Rams recorded their first loss of the season, falling to the Denver Pioneers 83-81 on November 17, 2023, at Moby Arena. Despite a late chance to win, a last-second 3-pointer from Josh Pascarelli missed its mark, leaving the Rams with a 4-1 record this season.
The Rams struggled on a night where shooting accuracy was critical, finishing with just 79.5% from the free-throw line and 44.4% from three-point range. CSU had rallied from a halftime deficit but could not secure the victory, marking a disappointing end to their early momentum.
Trailing 41-33 at the start of the second half, the Rams ignited a surge with a 12-2 run, highlighted by a pivotal 3-pointer from Kyle Jorgensen. The teams exchanged leads in a tightly contested matchup, but the Pioneers gained a slight edge with 9:51 remaining, establishing a 61-56 lead after a series of successful field goals.
As the clock wound down, CSU clawed back to within a point at 80-79 thanks to a pair of free throws from Carey Booth. However, a missed layup by Jevin Muniz denied them the chance to take the lead. After trading free throws, Denver held a narrow 83-81 advantage, prompting a timeout from the Rams with just 2.3 seconds left.
In a dramatic final moment, Pascarelli’s potential game-winning shot failed to connect, sealing the Rams’ fate. Jorgensen led the team with 29 points, marking his third career-high in scoring this season. Booth contributed significantly with 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Brandon Rechsteiner added 11 points to the effort.
The loss highlights the need for improvement in critical game situations as CSU heads into their next matchup against Virginia Tech on Wednesday at the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Fans are eager to see if the Rams can bounce back and regain their early-season form.
Stay tuned for further updates as the CSU Rams aim to recover from this setback and continue their season.
