Colorado State Cruises Against Oral Roberts 109-80
CSU opened the 2021-22 season with a strong showing
Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire
John Tonje steps up and shows the depth of this Rams squad.
John Tonje had the hot hand tonight as the Rams rolled past the Golden Eagles of Oral Roberts. Tonje finished with 31 points as he went 10-14 from the floor, including 3-7 from three, and 8-8 from the free throw line. Tonje started hot going for 18 points in the first half before continuing that hot streak in the second half.
Colorado State had lofty expectations put on them by being picked to win the Mountain West by the media and they showed why against Oral Roberts. The Rams put up 109 points, which is the most points scored in a non-overtime game for CSU since they put up 109 against Southwestern Oklahoma State in 2013.
.@johntonje1 feeling himself so far in this one. 15 points in the first 17 minutes 🔥🔥🔥#TeamTogether pic.twitter.com/MA8QwF6Fpk
— Colorado State Men’s Basketball (@CSUMBasketball) November 10, 2021
This game was close at half, with CSU only leading by seven at 50-43. The Rams were a little lax on defense in the first half; allowing open looks from three and allowing Oral Roberts to drive the lane with little resistance. The second half was a different story. The Rams clamped down on defense; only allowing the Golden Eagles to take 12 non-three point shots out of 36 overall attempts in the second half. It was a block party at times as well, as Colorado State finished with nine blocks.
Max Abmas showed he was as good as advertised, even if he wasn’t hitting from deep. He had 15 points at half, but only added five more after halftime to finish with 20. The real lack of a secondary scoring threat hurt Oral Roberts. A couple players showed the capability, but it wasn’t enough.
Carlos Jurgens, Issac McBride, and DeShang Weaver joined Abmas in double figures. Jurgens finished with 15 points. While McBride and Weaver looked to be those eventual seconadary scoring options. They only finished with 12 and 11 points respectively, but shot it well from deep. If Abmas didn’t have an off night, this game would’ve been a lot closer.
Teamwork makes the dreamwork right? @johntonje1 @IsaiahStevens7 @dischonthomas #TeamTogether pic.twitter.com/urFfazQPiC
— Colorado State Men’s Basketball (@CSUMBasketball) November 10, 2021
Tonje put in a career night for Colorado State and the Rams showed the scary amount of depth they had at the same time. Kendle Moore went down with a worrying looking lower leg injury in the first half and didn’t return. David Roddy also went down with a back injury in the first half before coming back. Fortunately, this CSU squad had the talent to cover those injuries.
Tonje was joined in double figures by Dischon Thomas, Chandler Jacobs, and Isaiah Stevens. Thomas had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah Stevens finished with 13 points and six assists, but had an off-night shooting going 5-16 from the field. Jacobs quietly had a perfect night from the floor as he finished with 15 points on 6-6 shooting, including 2-2 from three, and 1-1 from the free throw line.
We can’t leave out the young talent on this deep Colorado State team either. Jalen Lake, a true freshman from Waxahachie, Texas, had eight points, four rebounds, and two assists. But he stepped up on the defensive end with two blocks and was also given the assignment of guarding Abmas at times as well. Isaiah Rivera is another name to keep an eye on as he also chipped in eight points.
The expectations were high for this Rams team coming in and they lived up to them. Colorado State showed they had the talent and depth to go a long way this season. There are still some defensive concerns to address, but those can be worked on. Next up for the Rams is a stretch of two games in three days (Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 11/12 and Peru State – 11/14) before they head to the US Virgin Islands and the Paradise Jam tournament.
