The Colorado State Rams experienced a disappointing end to their game against Utah State on January 20, 2023, losing 65-61 despite leading by 12 points in the second half. The Rams had a promising start, dominating much of the game until a series of turnovers allowed the Aggies to mount a comeback.
With just over 13 minutes remaining in the match at Moby Arena, CSU held a 47-35 lead following a three-pointer from Josh Pascarelli. The Rams had managed to recover from a troublesome first half characterized by turnovers, only to let the Aggies chip away at their advantage. A total of 21 turnovers throughout the game ultimately proved costly, with 11 occurring in the second half alone.
Head Coach Ali Farokhmanesh attributed the loss to the turnovers, stating, “That’s what bit us in the foot. For basically 30 minutes and 23 seconds, you’re dominating the game because you’re up double digits most of the time. But when you give that many pick-sixes to that team specifically, they convert them better than anybody in the country.”
CSU led 35-25 at halftime, and after a quick three-pointer by Kyle Jorgensen early in the second half, the Rams looked poised to secure a victory. However, Utah State slowly reduced the deficit, closing the gap to one point at 51-50 with just over nine minutes left in the game.
The Aggies then took their first lead since the opening moments at 53-51, and despite a brief tie at 53, CSU could not regain control. With under two minutes remaining, the Rams trailed 63-61 after a three-pointer from Jase Butler. Utah State sealed the victory with free throws in the final seconds, marking a stark contrast to their previous 100-58 win over CSU on December 20, 2022.
Jorgensen led the Rams with 24 points, but his scoring was front-loaded, as he managed to score only five points in the second half after a strong start where he netted 19 points in the first half. His performance included a career-high of five three-pointers in what was just his second start since returning from injury.
“Obviously, they embarrassed us,” Jorgensen said regarding the earlier match against Utah State. “It was embarrassing. Nobody wants to feel like that, how we felt after that game. I think we did a great job of bringing the fight early and not shying away from the physicality they have.”
In the first half, CSU shot an impressive 68% from the field compared to Utah State’s 39%. However, the second half saw a reversal, with the Aggies shooting 61% while the Rams managed only 38%. In addition to Jorgensen’s contributions, Pascarelli scored 13 points and Rashaan Mbemba added 10. Unfortunately, the Rams’ bench contributed a mere six points, while Utah State capitalized on CSU’s turnovers, converting them into 24 points.
Despite the loss, CSU outperformed Utah State in rebounding, securing 30 boards to the Aggies’ 22. The Rams will look to rebound from this defeat when they face San Diego State on January 25, 2023.
