CSU Rams extend perfect record with 87-71 rout of Portland State

Colorado State entered its third game of the season with a perfect record, a status it maintained through an 87-71 victory over Portland State at Moby Arena in Fort Collins. The Rams improved to 3-0, a mark that includes wins against three Big Sky Conference opponents.

Josh Pascarelli and Rashaan Mbemba generated the bulk of the scoring offensive output. Pascarelli finished with 21 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the three-point line. He also converted all four of his free throw attempts. Mbemba added 17 points, which included a three-point shot on which he was fouled, as well as a dunk over two defenders in the second half.

The game remained within reach of the Vikings only briefly. After allowing Portland State to take the first two points, Colorado State tied the score and took a 4-2 lead. The Rams never trailed again. Amondo Miller Jr. sank two free throws to give the home team a 24-13 advantage with 9:03 left in the first half.

The Rams closed the first half with a 10-4 run, extending their lead to 42-26. They opened the second half with a 15-7 sequence that pushed the margin to 24 points, a 57-33 lead with 15:40 remaining. That 24-point cushion proved to be the largest of the game. The Vikings never recovered to within fewer than 13 points, reaching 80-67 at the closest point in the final minutes.

Despite the large margin of victory, the Rams lost the rebounding battle. Portland State outrebounded Colorado State 38-25. The Vikings held a 14-1 edge on the offensive glass. Head coach Ali Farokhmanesh identified that statistical gap as the primary area for correction. He noted that the team is playing with fire if it continues to lose the offensive rebounding battle by that margin.

Pascarelli described his current role as one of increased versatility. He stated that the coaching staff wanted him to be an all-around player rather than solely a three-point threat. He said he wants to keep the defense honest by improving his game in other areas. Mbemba, a fourth-year player, noted that facing different opponents allows the team to adjust its offensive and defensive schemes.

Ten different players scored for Colorado State. Freshman Jaden Ghoreishi was the only other player to reach double figures with 11 points. The Rams shot 53% from the field compared to 41% for Portland State. Colorado State committed nine turnovers while forcing 16 from the Vikings. The Rams recorded 18 assists against 11 for Portland State.

The Rams will return to action on Saturday. They will host Loyola Chicago at 11:30 a.m. at Moby Arena.