Colorado State’s Strong Response to a Tough Start

PHOENIX — The Colorado State men’s basketball team had an emphatic response to the idea that it was hitting a tailspin. After back-to-back losses to open conference play, the Rams delivered an impressive 70-60 win over Mountain West newcomer Grand Canyon on Jan. 3 at Global Credit Union Arena.

The game marked a significant turnaround for CSU, which started the year with a strong performance by pulling off an upset as a 6.5-point underdog. This victory was arguably the most complete defensive effort of the season and a key step in stabilizing their position in MW play.

Grand Canyon had a strong home record, having won 38 of its last 40 home games and maintaining an 88% win rate under sixth-year coach Bryce Drew. However, CSU managed to break that trend, proving they could hold their own against one of the league’s toughest teams.

A New Attitude Under First-Year Coach

First-year CSU head coach Ali Farokhmanesh was initially frustrated by the last two losses, but he was more focused on how those games were played. He felt the Rams lacked the fight in their defeats against Utah State and Nevada. Specifically, he was disappointed with how the team let Nevada secure key loose balls, leading to extra possessions that swung the game.

Farokhmanesh emphasized the importance of process over outcome. “Awesome. I told them it wasn’t even the response tonight, it was the response in practice the last two days,” he said after the game.

CSU set the tone early, forcing multiple tie-ups and diving for loose balls. This intangible but crucial mindset shift showed the team was ready to fight.

In the second half, CSU took control, leading 35-29 at the break and eventually turning it into a blowout. Grand Canyon went scoreless for over 6 minutes and 30 seconds, during which CSU went on a 16-0 run to take a 25-point lead. The Rams’ defense dictated the game, with a 21-2 run in the second half.

Rebounding and Team Depth

After struggling to finish possessions with rebounds in their previous game against Nevada, CSU outrebounded Grand Canyon 39-29 and held their own in second-chance points (13-9 for GCU). Despite entering the game as a top-50 rebounding team, Grand Canyon was outmatched by the Rams’ improved execution.

“I was proud of the way they finished possessions. We harped on that the last three days and they came out and executed it,” Farokhmanesh said.

Key Performances from Carey Booth and Augustinas Kiudulas

With their top two centers, Kyle Jorgensen and Rashaan Mbemba, injured, CSU needed other players to step up. Carey Booth, a 6-foot-10 forward, played a vital role, contributing 19 points and 12 rebounds. His versatility and ability to impact both ends of the court were critical.

Augustinas Kiudulas, playing out of position at center, had a breakout game. He hit two 3-pointers and used his shooting to draw defenders and create scoring opportunities. Kiudulas finished with a season-high 15 points and praised his hard work.

“I feel like they were not respecting my shot,” Kiudulas said. “I know I can shoot. I work on it a lot.”

A Wild Ride Ahead in the Mountain West

The Mountain West is shaping up to be a wild ride. CSU began the season with tough losses, but their recent win over Grand Canyon shows they are capable of competing with anyone in the league.

With games against New Mexico coming up, the Rams will need to maintain their momentum. As Kiudulas noted, “It’s super good. We lost two games, especially the way we lost against Nevada, this is a really good win.”

Teams in the Mountain West are closely matched, making each game unpredictable. The Rams have shown they can rise to the challenge, and fans can expect more exciting moments in the season ahead.